Tuesday 3 May 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Dollar rises as haven amid growth worries

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar rose against most of its peers Tuesday as global growth worries swept equity markets and pushed oil prices lower, boosting demand for the safe-haven US currency.The euro sharply reversed against the greenback, after hitting $1.1616, its highest level since last August. By around 2100 GMT, the euro traded at $1.1507, down from $1.1535 at the same time Monday.It seems the dollar is in a bit of recovery mode, said Vassili Serebriakov of BNP Paribas.The markets not very comfortable pushing the euro dollar much above 1.16 for now, he said, citing persistent uncertainties about European and US monetary policies.In the United States, the Federal Reserve seems wary about raising interest rates again after a December move, while in Europe there are doubts that the European Central Bank will provide further stimulus to the tepid eurozone economy.The dollar also appeared to get a lift Tuesday from remarks by the Atlanta Fed president, Dennis Lockhart, that left open the door to a Fed rate hike in June, although he has no vote on the matter.The real question is: does any of the price action at the beginning of this week actually matter? Thats a difficult question to pose during a time of heightened market stress, said Christopher Vecchio of DailyFX.Meanwhile, the Australian central bank surprised markets with a quarter point cut in interest rates to a historic low of 1.75 percent, citing concerns about low inflation.The announcement by the Reserve Bank of Australia pushed the Australian dollar sharply lower, to 75 US cents from 77 US cents earlier in the day.The Feds reluctance to normalize policy and signs of global economic slowdown have clearly changed the calculus for RBA which as recently as last month appeared to be content to keep rates stationary for the foreseeable future, said Boris Schlossberg of BK Asset Management.2100 GMT Tuesday MondayEUR/USD 1.1507 1.1535EUR/JPY 122.71 122.78EUR/CHF 1.0982 1.1009EUR/GBP 0.7914 0.7861USD/JPY 106.63 106.42USD/CHF 0.9544 0.9544GBP/USD 1.4539 1.4674

Football: Atletico Madrid through to Champions League final

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MUNICH (AFP) - Pep Guardiolas Bayern Munich suffered a third straight Champions League semi-final exit to Spanish opposition on Tuesday as Atletico Madrid reached the final on away goals despite a 2-1 second-leg defeat.Having won the first leg 1-0 in Spain, Atletico advanced thanks to Antoine Griezmanns crucial away goal in Munich as the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate.Xabi Alonso and Robert Lewandowski netted for Bayern on a night when both teams missed penalties.But it was Atletico who secured a spot in the final in Milan on May 28, where they will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City.They were better, but we scored an away goal, which was important, said Griezmann.Were delighted. It was difficult, a really hard game, we had a great opponent in front of us.We had to both defend and try to score. Thats what we did.Bayern and Guardiola will rue Thomas Muellers saved first-half penalty just after Alonso had given the hosts the lead by crashing home a free-kick.There was similar drama in the second half when Manuel Neuer saved Fernando Torres late penalty attempt for Atletico.After Griezmann put Atletico level in the second half, Lewandowski gave Bayern brief hope when he headed home, but the Bundesliga leaders could not find the crucial third goal.Diego Simeones Atletico, level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga with two games of the campaign left, face a busy few weeks as they prepare for their second Champions league final in three seasons.Meanwhile, with their dreams of a treble over, Bayern are left to focus on winning a domestic double in Guardiolas swansong.I have given my life for this team, I have fought and given my best, said Guardiola.We havent reached a Champions League final, but I am proud of this team.We played the football we wanted to today and all that was missing was a goal. I am sorry for all the players.Bayern can become the first club to win four consecutive German league titles if they win at Ingolstadt on Saturday.They also face Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final in Berlin on May 21.However, their European exit will be a bitter pill to swallow for Bayern after they lost the 2014 semi-final to Real Madrid 5-0 on aggregate and exited at the same stage in 2015 with a 5-3 aggregate defeat to Barcelona.Having been hammered in the German media for starting the first leg without Mueller, Guardiola included the Germany star and also brought in Jerome Boateng and Franck Ribery for the return.Simeone made just one change from the first leg with centre-back Diego Godin returning in place of Stefan Savic after recovering from a hamstring injury.Atletico arrived in Munich having won their previous seven games and had not conceded a goal in their previous six.However, the latter run was broken when Alonso drilled his free-kick into the net in the 31st minute to level the tie on aggregate.His shot took a decisive deflection off Jose Maria Gimenez to wrong-foot Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak, and Bayern could have made it 2-0 on the night just three minutes later.Gimenez was booked for conceding a penalty when he pulled down Javi Martinez in the area, but Oblak saved Muellers weak effort from 12 yards.Simeone replaced Augusto Fernandez with Yannick Carrasco at the break and moved Griezmann out wide, and the tactical switch paid dividends as the visitors struck nine minutes into the second period from their first clear chance of the game.Torres sent Griezmann clear in behind the Bayern defence and the France striker kept his cool before firing past Neuer.Bayern were left needing to score twice and they got one back when David Alabas cross was headed back across the six-yard box by Arturo Vidal and Lewandowski nodded home his ninth Champions League goal of the season on 74 minutes.Neuer came to Bayerns rescue by saving Torres penalty attempt in the dying stages after the striker was brought down by Martinez, but it could not save Bayern from bowing out.

Ronaldo fit but Benzema and Casemiro out against City: Zidane

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MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrids Cristiano Ronaldo is 100 percent fit to face Manchester City in Wednesdays Champions League semi-final, second leg but Karim Benzema and Casemiro will miss out, coach Zinedine Zidane said on Tuesday.Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury which forced him to miss Madrid´s last three games in all competitions and has resumed full training.But striker Benzema is yet to recover from a hamstring problem and midfielder Casemiro is still missing after a knock to the hip in Saturdays 1-0 win at Real Sociedad.Cristiano is fine, he is 100 percent. He has trained and will be with us tomorrow, there is no risk, Zidane told a news conference.We need a 100 percent Cristiano, he said. Hes a different player. His numbers show that and Im happy hes with us tomorrow. Id have liked Karim and Casemiro to be there too, but others will play and thats that, added Zidane.Forward Lucas Vazquez replaced Ronaldo in the goalless first leg in Manchester and is expected to fill in for Benzema.City midfielder Yaya Toure has recovered from a thigh injury but Pablo Zabaleta and David Silva have been ruled out.Real are in their best form of the season, having won 10 league games in a row. But Zidane, who took charge in January after Rafael Benitez was sacked, said not reaching the Champions League final in Milan on May 28 would be a failure.Until now we have said we havent achieved anything. We are in good form, but our aim is to do everything possible and try and go through.But it will be very difficult. If we dont get through, itll be a failure.While the 10-times European Cup winners are seeking to reach their 14th final in Europes elite competition, City are aiming for their first in the Champions League. They last reached a European final when they won Cup Winners Cup in 1970.“The story of the two clubs is very different, for me, it would only be a failure if we did not play to our potential,” said Manchester Citys Manuel Pellegrini, who coached Real in the 2009/10 season before being sacked.“We will try tomorrow to play in the way we have played every week,” he added. “We tried to do it in Manchester but we did not have a great day, tomorrow we will try to press and attack the ball from the very first moment.”

Murray sets sights on record fifth Queen's Club title

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LONDON (Reuters) - Andy Murray will be targeting a record fifth title at Queens Club as organisers unveiled what they called the strongest ever lineup for next months Aegon Championships.Twelve months after beating Kevin Anderson in the final of the Wimbledon warm-up tournament, the world number two will be aiming to surpass the landmark of winning four Queens Club titles that he shares with seven other men, including John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick.If I could win it for a fifth time it would be amazing, said the 28-year-old.The names that have won it four times... they are all great tennis players.Murray, champion in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015, will be joined by twice Wimbledon champion Rafa Nadal, French Open holder Stanislas Wawrinka and former Queens Club winners Marin Cilic and Grigor Dimitrov at the June 13-19 tournament.

Tennis: Halep eases into Madrid third round

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MADRID (AFP) - World number seven Simona Halep thrashed Karin Knapp 6-1, 6-1 to reach the third round of the Madrid Open on Tuesday.The Romanian needed just over an hour to dispose of the world number 75 to set up a clash with 10th seed Timea Bacsinszky or Ekaterina Makarova in the last 16 on Wednesday.Halep is one of just five seeds left in the draw after 11th Lucie Safarova pulled out of her second round match with Australian Sam Stosur due to illness.Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova also reached round three without hitting a ball as Camila Giorgi withdrew.A resurgent Rafael Nadal begins his quest to win a fifth title in Madrid later on Tuesday when he faces Russian Andrey Kuznetsov.Defending champion Andy Murray is also in action against Czech veteran Radek Stepanek.

Football: Leicester City celebrate miracle title triumph

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LEICESTER (AFP) - Leicester Citys heroes celebrated with a pizza party on Tuesday after completing one of the greatest fairytales in sporting history by winning the English Premier League.Thousands danced in the streets of Leicester and millions around the world watched in wonder as the 5,000-1 underdogs sealed a scarcely credible title on Monday.The unthinkable came true thanks to second-place Tottenham Hotspur being held to a 2-2 draw at outgoing champions Chelsea, kicking off a marathon round of celebrations in Leicester.The Thai-owned clubs chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, Italian manager Claudio Ranieri and top scorer Jamie Vardy were among those dining out at the citys San Carlo restaurant to celebrate becoming champions for the first time in the Foxes 132-year history.I dont know the secret. The players, the heart, the soul and how they play, said Ranieri, who rewarded his players with pizza after their first clean sheet of the season, in an interview with Sky Sports. It was an amazing achievement. We wanted to do something special, but no-one could have believed we would do this.Last season, Leicester narrowly escaped relegation and were rated as utter no-hopers this time around. However, the east Midlands club not only outshone some of footballs most glamorous teams, but pulled off a shock considered by many as the biggest seen in sport.Their season of 22 wins in 36 games and just three defeats was enough to make them champions with two games to spare, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all trailing behind.Dancing fans waving blue and white flags poured onto the streets of Leicester, while footage on Twitter showed the team celebrating wildly as they watched Mondays game at Vardys house.After Tuesdays pizza outing, the players can look forward to another party when they receive the Premier League trophy at their 32,000-seater King Power Stadium following Saturdays home game with Everton.I am going to try to hold back the tears, said captain Wes Morgan on the prospect of lifting the trophy. It hasnt sunk in yet. It was a long night celebrating. After the initial euphoria, a lot of people couldnt believe what had happened. Its an achievement that might not be achieved again.The Foxes are Englands first new champions since Brian Cloughs Nottingham Forest in 1978. They have won admirers across the globe through their surge to the summit of the worlds most-watched football league, which attracts billions of pounds in television rights deals.Leicesters success could be worth around £155 million (US$227.5 million) in revenue to the modest club, up from £104.4 million for last year.This is going to really elevate them, at least for one season, to the next level commercially, Tim Bridge, from financial consultants Deloittes Sports Business Group, told AFP. The challenge for Leicester is, how do we keep hold of those players and how do we plan for the future in a sustainable manner?Britains newspapers turned blue in homage, while The Economist magazine asserted: There has never been a more improbable victory in any sport.There were scenes of delirium in Leicester, population 330,000, after Tottenhams draw at Chelsea. Fans partied in the streets around Leicester Cathedral, where the 15th-century king Richard III was reinterred in March last year, supposedly sparking the Foxes miracle run.Supporters chanted the names of Ranieri and Vardy, whose 22 goals include a Premier League record of netting in 11 games in a row. Vardy announced on Tuesday that he will release an autobiography, My Story, in October.British Prime Minister David Cameron sent his congratulations, calling it an extraordinary, thoroughly deserved title.Gianni Infantino, president of footballs world governing body FIFA, said: Its one of these beautiful football stories that only football can write. This is the magic of football.However, Real Madrid coach and French football great Zinedine Zidane said Leicesters title was all down to talent and hard work. Miracles dont exist in football. They have had a phenomenal season. Ranieri has done a phenomenal job, he said.After a night of car horns honking in celebration, the title was the sole topic of conversation in the city on Tuesday. Many people were wearing their Leicester scarves in the streets.In the Gourmet Cafe, waitress Stacie, 25, said takings were down, probably because people didnt go to work. They are not hungover yet, she explained. A lot of people are still drunk.

Kerry warns Assad of 'repercussions' over truce violations

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday of repercussions if his regime flouts a new ceasefire being negotiated with Moscow for the battered city of Aleppo.A February 27 truce between the Syrian regime and non-jihadist rebels raised hopes for efforts to resolve the five-year conflict.But it has all but collapsed amid renewed fighting, the worst of it in Aleppo, where a surge in violence has claimed more than 270 lives since April 22.If Assad does not adhere to this, there will clearly be repercussions and one of them may be the total destruction of the ceasefire and they go back to war, Kerry told reporters.I dont think that Russia wants that. I dont think that Assad is going to benefit from that, he added, after returning from a trip to Geneva where he tried Monday to save the truce.There may be even other repercussions that are being discussed but that is for the future to determine.Kerry also renewed pressure for Assad to step down, with some dire warning about his future.The truce will not hold unless there is a bona fide effort to put in place a transition, he said, noting an August 1 target date for a change of power.So either something happens in these next few months, or they are asking for a very different track.Russia said it hoped a new ceasefire could be announced within hours for Aleppo, while the UN Security Council is due to meet Wednesday to discuss the crisis in the city.Everybody at the table has said you cant end this as long as Assad continues, because Assad cannot reunite the country. Its that simple, Kerry said.Having gassed his people, barrel-bombed his people, dropped bombs on hospitals, driven 12 million people out of their homes, tortured people, starved people -- what kind of legitimacy should somebody whos committed these kinds of atrocities suddenly claim to run the country?Its pretty hard for anybody to understand how you make peace out of that record of chaos and depravity.Washington and Moscow are now working together to include Aleppo in a freeze in fighting aimed at bolstering the broader truce brokered by both world powers.The cessation of hostilities was put in place precisely to give the people on the ground who are innocently caught between these warring factions some breather, some ability to be able to be safe and work this out at the negotiating table, Kerry said in condemning the latest violence.That is why we are working urgently right now to reaffirm the cessation of hostilities nationwide.Syrias conflict erupted in 2011 after the brutal repression of anti-government protests and has since escalated into a complex, multi-faceted war, in which more than 270,000 people have been killed.

Moscow hopes for truce 'within hours' as fighting rocks Aleppo

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MOSCOW (AFP) - Russia hoped Tuesday a new ceasefire could be announced within hours for Syrias battered city of Aleppo, where fresh fighting including rocket fire on a maternity hospital left at least 19 dead.As the city was struck by some of its heaviest reported clashes in days, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said efforts were under way to agree a freeze in the fighting.I am hoping that in the near future, maybe even in the next few hours, such a decision will be announced, Lavrov said after meeting UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura in Moscow.France and Britain called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting on Aleppo, boosting the major push by world powers this week to end the fighting.Aleppo is burning and it is crucial that we focus on this top priority issue, said British ambassador to the UN Matthew Rycroft.A February 27 truce between President Bashar al-Assads regime and non-jihadist rebels raised hopes for efforts to resolve the five-year conflict.But it has all but collapsed amid renewed fighting, especially in Aleppo.A surge of violence that erupted on April 22 has killed more than 270 people in the divided northern city and undermined efforts to revive peace talks.In Washington, US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Assad of repercussions if his regime continues to flout a new ceasefire being negotiated for Aleppo.If Assad does not adhere to this, there will clearly be repercussions and one of them may be the total destruction of the ceasefire and they go back to war, he told reporters.There may be even other repercussions that are being discussed but that is for the future to determine.After a relative lull Monday and early Tuesday, rebels in eastern Aleppo fired at least 65 rockets into government-controlled neighbourhoods, said Syrian state news agency SANA.The rockets killed 16 people and wounded 68, including at least three women at Al-Dabbeet maternity hospital, it reported.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said it had counted at least 19 dead and 80 wounded from the attacks on government-held areas.Fierce fighting also raged on Aleppos western edges after rebels detonated explosives in a tunnel, an AFP correspondent said, adding the clashes subsided at nightfall.It was the most violent day for the citys regime-held west since clashes resumed 11 days ago.New regime strikes also hit rebel-held eastern areas, another AFP correspondent reported.As warplanes thundered above, rebel and government forces exchanged nearly non-stop artillery fire.Civil defence workers said air strikes on the rebel-held east killed three people, including a child.The rocket attack was the sixth time a medical facility has been hit in 11 days in Aleppo, the International Committee for the Red Cross said, calling it unacceptable.The Security Council unanimously voted Tuesday to condemn the targeting of health facilities in war zones.Kerry also condemned the attacks.The cessation of hostilities was put in place precisely to give the people on the ground who are innocently caught between these warring factions some breather... and work this out at the negotiating table, he said.That is why we are working urgently right now to reaffirm the cessation of hostilities nationwide.In Moscow after seeing Kerry in Geneva on Monday, De Mistura said it was crucial for the ceasefire to be brought back on track, hailing the February truce as a remarkable achievement.Diplomatic efforts were set to continue Wednesday in Berlin with De Mistura joining the German and French foreign ministers for talks with Syrias main opposition leader.Washington and Moscow are working together to include Aleppo in a so-called regime of silence -- a freeze in fighting -- aimed at bolstering the broader truce.They have agreed to boost the number of Geneva-based truce monitors to track violations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Kerry said Monday.In a nod to Moscows demands, Kerry said Washington would press moderate rebels to separate themselves from Al-Nusra Front jihadists in Aleppo. Russia and Assads regime have used the presence of Al-Nusra, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda which was not party to the ceasefire, as an excuse to press their offensive.The Observatory says more than 270 civilians -- including 54 children -- have been killed on both sides of divided Aleppo since April 22.The city was initially excluded from a deal announced last week to freeze fighting along two major fronts in the northwest and in Eastern Ghouta near Damascus.Meanwhile, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said there were extremely worrying signs IS may be making its own chemical weapons and may have used them already in Syria and Iraq. Syrias conflict erupted in 2011 after anti-government protests were put down, and escalated into a multi-faceted war that has killed more than 270,000 people and forced millions from their homes.

IS kills US Navy SEAL in Iraq attack

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BAGHDAD (AFP) - The Islamic State group broke through Kurdish defences in northern Iraq on Tuesday and killed a US Navy SEAL deployed as part of the US-led coalition against the jihadists.The attack came as the United Nations said that fighting with IS in northern Iraq could displace another 30,000 people, adding to millions who have already fled their homes.And in Baghdad, throngs of Shiite pilgrims braved the threat of bombings by IS, which have killed dozens of people in recent days, to take part in a major annual religious commemoration.The sailor from the special operations force was at least the third coalition member killed by enemy fire in Iraq since IS overran swathes of the country in 2014.President Barack Obama hailed the 2011 withdrawal of American troops from Iraq as a major accomplishment of his presidency, but US forces have been drawn back into combat in the country against IS.Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said the death occurred during an IS attack on one of the Kurdish peshmerga forces positions north of Iraqs jihadist-held second city Mosul.A US defence official said the US SEALs death was the result of an orchestrated attack.A coalition military official said the American was killed at 9:30 am (0630 GMT) by direct fire after enemy forces penetrated the peshmerga line.The SEAL was a member of a small team that was present at a peshmerga encampment behind the original front line during the IS attack, which involved explosives-rigged vehicles, bulldozers and infantry, the official said.They fought, but theyre a small number and theyre not supposed to be in direct contact, and they departed by American helicopter after the SEAL was shot, according to the official.Kurdish forces are deployed in Nineveh province, whose capital Mosul is ISs main hub in the country.IS attacked the peshmerga in multiple areas of northern Iraq on Tuesday in an attempt to thwart the plan to liberate Mosul, said Jabbar Yawar, the secretary general of the autonomous Kurdish regions peshmerga ministry.Iraqs Joint Operations Command said IS overran the Tal Asquf area and that the group employed suicide bombers.Tal Asquf is a small Christian town whose population fled in 2014. According to the Kurdistan Region Security Council, the town was completely cleared of IS fighters later Tuesday.Romeo Hekari, who heads a Christian unit fighting IS under peshmerga command, also said Tal Asquf was back under full control.The United States announced last month that it was deploying additional forces to Iraq, bringing the official total to more than 4,000.The coalition is carrying out daily air strikes against IS, and while most American forces on the ground in Iraq play advisory and support roles, Washington has also deployed special forces to carry out raids against IS, and US Marines to provide artillery support.Two US military personnel had already been killed by the jihadists in Iraq: an American Marine by rocket fire in March and a special forces soldier who died of wounds received during a raid last October.Obama repeatedly pledged that there would be no boots on the ground to combat IS, but the administration has since sought to define the term as meaning something other than American forces being on the ground and in combat.They are wearing boots, and they are on the ground, but that... doesnt mean that they are in large-scale ground combat, State Department spokesman John Kirby recently told journalists.As Kurdish forces and the jihadists clashed on Tuesday, the United Nations expressed concern that as many as 30,000 newly displaced individuals could arrive in Makhmur southeast of Mosul, fleeing fighting in the area.In Baghdad, tens of thousands of pilgrims converged on a shrine to mourn the death of Imam Musa Kadhim, the seventh of 12 imams revered in Shiite Islam, who was killed in 799 AD.A shrine official said that millions had taken part in commemorations in recent days, despite IS-claimed bombings targeting the pilgrims that have killed at least 37 people in the past week.

Merkel lends backing to halt rise of France's far-right

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BERLIN (AFP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday she would do what she can to help curb the rise of Frances National Front (FN), as support surges for far-right parties across Europe.I will make my contribution towards ensuring that other political forces are stronger than the National Front, she told students attending the French high school in Berlin. Merkel, who rarely comments on neighbouring Frances political scene, said that in Germany too, the rise of the far-right was a phenomenon that we have to deal with.We see that there are political forces with very negative rhetoric on Europe, she said, referring to the German populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD).We have to ensure that Europe is a project that people understand, she said, adding that a key message that has to hit home is that its better with Europe than without Europe.National Front leader Marine Le Pen swiftly released an outraged statement on Merkels very serious comments.She slammed the German leaders intervention as an outrageous and humiliating interference in our internal affairs.Merkels promise to influence events also displayed the submission of our country to Germany, she added, referring mockingly to French President Francois Hollande as a vice chancellor.The French National front and the German AfD have differing economic views but are joined in their opposition to the European Union.Formed only three years ago on a eurosceptic platform, AfD is now Germanys third strongest party, according to a recent opinion poll.The populist upstart outfit has shifted its rhetoric to one that rails against the influx of 1.1 million asylum seekers in 2015, and last weekend adopted an anti-Islam platform.Like AfD, Frances National Front is anti-EU.Le Pen has overseen an unprecedented rise in her partys fortunes and many pollsters predict the FN will make it to the second round of the French presidential election next year.

Trump romps to Indiana win, White House nomination in sight

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Donald Trump crushed his Republican rivals in Indianas primary Tuesday, bringing him to the brink of outright victory in the presidential nomination race and dashing the hopes of a movement bent on stopping him.The billionaire trounced Senator Ted Cruz and Ohio Governor John Kasich, his two remaining competitors in a roller-coaster nomination race that appears increasingly likely to see Trump go head-to-head with presumptive Democratic standard-bearer Hillary Clinton in the general election.Thank you Indiana Trump tweeted as the race was called in his favor and he romped to a seventh straight state-wide victory.The Democratic race was initially too close to call, with Bernie Sanders taking a razor-thin lead over former secretary of state Clinton based on 25 percent of precincts reporting.Both Trump and Clinton were betting on Indiana to put them one step closer to locking up the White House nominations.The latest contest in the 2016 White House race was also seen as a day of reckoning for the stop Trump movement.Cruz had been hoping to use the midwestern state as a firewall, blocking Trump from receiving the 1,237 delegates needed to secure the nomination ahead of the Republican convention in Cleveland in July.But the bombastic real estate mogul -- who has thus far defied all political logic to lead the Republican race -- swept the arch-conservative senator aside.Partial results showed the billionaire real estate mogul securing over 53 percent of the vote, almost 20 points ahead of Cruz. Kasich languished at eight percent. Lyin Ted Cruz consistently said that he will, and must, win Indiana. If he doesnt he should drop out of the race-stop wasting time & money, Trump taunted in a tweet.Should Trump win all 57 delegates at stake in Indiana, he will need just 40 percent of remaining Republican delegates to reach the magic number of 1,237 needed to avoid a contested party convention.Clinton, 68, is far enough ahead overall that Sanders only hope now lies in the unlikely scenario of her failing to win a majority of delegates in the primaries, in which case her nomination could be contested at a Democratic convention in July.But regardless of the outcome in Indiana, Clinton has already pivoted toward Trump.Im really focused on moving into the general election, she said confidently Tuesday in West Virginia.Thats where we have to be because we are going to have a tough campaign against a candidate wholl literally say or do anything, she said of Trump. Were going to take him on at every turn.With momentum favoring the 69-year-old Trump, the primary battle took a nasty turn Tuesday when Trump cited a tabloid report linking Cruzs father Rafael to John F. Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald.Trump raised the recent National Enquirer story in his interview with Fox News.This is just kooky, an irate Cruz shot back while stumping in Evansville, Indiana, branding Trump a pathological liar.The man is utterly amoral, said Cruz, lambasting the frontrunner as a caricature of a braggadocious, arrogant buffoon who builds giant casinos with giant pictures of him everywhere he looks.We are staring at the abyss, Cruz warned.Cruz now has an extremely steep road ahead to block Trump.Until recently, Indiana was widely seen as a good state for the senator, who has performed well in primaries dominated by conservative and evangelical voters.Observers say a Trump victory raises serious questions about whether Cruz can still win other states where he was thought to be favored, such as Nebraska, Washington, Montana and South Dakota.Very hard to see how Trump doesnt get to 1,237 now, tweeted the leading statistician and election analyst Nate Silver of the blog FiveThirtyEight.Hed need to lose big in Cali, where hes up by 20 points.The frontrunner has so far amassed 1,002 delegates prior to Indiana, according to CNNs tally. Cruz is at 572 delegates, while Kasich trails with 156.The map currently favors Trump, who is polling well ahead in the largest states yet to vote -- California and New Jersey.Clinton needs only 21 percent of remaining Democratic delegates to win her partys nomination, but she has declined to call on Sanders to drop out.He has every right to finish out this primary season. I couldnt argue with that, Clinton said.Sanders, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist senator representing Vermont, has indicated he will remain in the race through California.

Woman among three terrorists killed in Haripur

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HARIPUR (Dunya News) – At least three terrorists, including a woman, were killed in encounter with intelligence agencies and police in Pind Ghakhara area of Haripur on early Wednesday morning, Dunya News reported.One law enforcement agencies official also embraced martyrdom while two other sustained injuries in the encounter.According to details, intelligence agencies and police raided a house in Pind Ghakhara area of Haripur upon which the terrorists present in the house opened fire at the raiding party. The law enforcement agencies returned the fire as a result three terrorists, including a woman, were killed. A law enforcement agencies official also embraced martyrdom during exchange of fire while two other were wounded.

MQM leader Shahid Pasha released

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader and Deputy Convener of the coordination committee, Shahid Pasha, was released by Rangers on Tuesday, Dunya News reported.Shahid Pasha was detained by Rangers from Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Karachi on March 20. He was produced before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) form where he was sent into Rangers’ custody on 90-day remand.Soon after his release, Shahid Pasha reached Muttahida Qaumi Movement headquarters Nine Zero.

Trump eyes Indiana knockout, Clinton turns toward November

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Presidential frontrunners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton hoped Tuesday the Indiana primaries would put them one step closer to locking up the Republican and Democratic nominations -- and their likely November showdown.The latest contest in the 2016 White House race is seen as a day of reckoning for the stop Trump movement led by his closest rival Ted Cruz.But the billionaire real estate mogul -- who has thus far defied all political logic to lead the Republican race -- looked set to deliver a death blow to the conservative Texas senator, with a recent NBC poll giving Trump a 15-point advantage in the midwestern state.I dont think hes got the temperament to be president, Trump said of Cruz in an interview with Fox News after polls opened.People are tired with whats happening with these politicians and theyre just tired of seeing our country get ripped off.Clinton and her rival Bernie Sanders were locked in a closer Indiana race, with the former secretary of state leading by just under seven percentage points, according to the RealClearPolitics poll average.Clinton, 68, is far enough ahead overall that Sanders only hope now lies in the unlikely scenario of her failing to win a majority of delegates in the primaries, in which case her nomination could be contested at a Democratic convention in July.Im really focused on moving into the general election, a confident Clinton told MSNBC Tuesday in West Virginia.Thats where we have to be because we are going to have a tough campaign against a candidate wholl literally say or do anything, she said of Trump. Were going to take him on at every turn.Cruz was also hoping to thwart Trump by using Indiana as a firewall, blocking the brash billionaire from receiving the 1,237 delegates necessary to secure the nomination at the Republican convention in Cleveland in July.Mathematically eliminated from winning outright, Cruzs goal is to snatch victory on a second ballot, when most delegates become free to vote for whomever they choose -- but which will only be held if Trump falls short of a majority in round one.Staring at the abyssWith momentum favoring the 69-year-old Trump, who won the last six contests, the primary battle took a nasty turn Tuesday when Trump cited a tabloid report linking Cruzs father Rafael to John F. Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald.Trump evoked the recent National Enquirer story in his interview with Fox News.This is just kooky, an irate Cruz shot back while stumping in Evansville, Indiana, branding Trump a pathological liar.The man is utterly amoral, said Cruz, lambasting the frontrunner as a caricature of a braggadocious, arrogant buffoon who builds giant casinos with giant pictures of him everywhere he looks.We are staring at the abyss, Cruz warned.Should Cruz fall short Tuesday, even his supporters see an extremely steep road ahead.Until recently, Indiana was widely seen as a good state for the senator, who has performed well in primaries dominated by conservative and evangelical voters.Observers say a Trump victory would raise serious questions about whether Cruz can still win other states where he was thought to be favored, such as Nebraska, Washington, Montana and South Dakota.If Trump sweeps Indianas 57 delegates, it could be over, former Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler acknowledged.The frontrunner has so far amassed 1,002 delegates, according to CNNs tally. He needs just under half of the 502 in play in the remaining 10 contests to lock in the nomination. Cruz is at 572 delegates, while Ohio Governor John Kasich trails with 156.The map currently favors Trump, who is polling well ahead in the largest states yet to vote -- California and New Jersey.Lets focus on HillaryClinton needs only 21 percent of remaining Democratic delegates to win her partys nomination, but she declined to call on Sanders to drop out.He has every right to finish out this primary season. I couldnt argue with that, Clinton said.Sanders, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist senator representing Vermont, wasnt throwing in the towel.Courting the union vote in Indiana, where manufacturing has taken a hit, Sanders sought to focus on trade.Secretary Clinton has supported virtually every one of these disastrous trade agreements and that is an area of strong disagreement that the voters of Indiana and America will have to consider, he said outside a diner in Indianapolis.Either candidate needs 2,383 delegates for victory. Currently Clinton has 2,179 including 513 superdelegates, while Sanders has 1,400 including 41 superdelegates.A confident Trump was already relishing a general election matchup with Clinton.Please, lets focus on Hillary, he said on the eve of the vote.Clinton appeared ready for the challenge, telling MSNBC that the quick-to-insult Trump has given no indication that he understands the gravity of the responsibilities that go with being commander-in-chief. mlm/ec

Tennis: Nadal, Murray through in Madrid

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MADRID (AFP) - Fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal stretched his perfect start to the European clay-court season to 11 matches with a routine 6-3, 6-3 win over Russias Andrey Kuznetsov to reach round three of the Madrid Masters on Tuesday.Defending champion Andy Murray began his defence of the title with a 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-1 win over 37-year-old Czech Radek Stepanek to remain on course for a semi-final meeting with Nadal.Fresh from victories in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, Nadal will continue his quest for a fifth title in Madrid against American Sam Querrey or Frances Lucas Pouille on Thursday.Nadal is looking for a record 50th career clay-court title in the Spanish capital and was rarely troubled by the world number 39 Kuznetsov.The Spaniard raced into a 3-0 first-set lead and one break was enough to seal the set as he staved off break points in the fourth game.Kuznetsov made a more positive start to the second to lead 3-2, but was blown away as Nadal, ominously for his rivals later in the week, found his rhythm to win the last four games.Nadals path to the final was eased as his potential quarter-final opponent Roger Federer withdrew due to a back injury on Monday.However, he could face Murray in the last four in a repeat of last years final.Murray needed three sets to overcome Stepanek, but eventually got the job done in just under two-and-a-half hours on court.Eleventh seed Milos Raonic also booked his place in the last 16 with a 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2 win over Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov.World number one Novak Djokovic begins his campaign after a three-year absence in Madrid on Wednesday against Borna Coric.Frenchman Gael Monfils continued his fine form after losing to Nadal in the final of Monte Carlo last month as he saw off Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-1.Controversial Australian Nick Kyrgios set up an enticing second-round clash with fourth seed Stanislas Wawrinka as he battled past Argentine Guido Pella 7-6 (9/7), 6-4.A dreadful week for Bulgarias Grigor Dimitrov continued as he exited in the first round 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 to Pablo Carreno Busta two days after defaulting in the final of the Istanbul Open for a racquet-smashing tirade.And former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro scored an impressive 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 win over in-form 14th seed Dominic Thiem.In the womens Madrid Open there was a better day for the favourites after a series of high-profile exits left just five seeds left in the draw.World number seven Simona Halep thrashed Karin Knapp 6-1, 6-1 to set up a third-round clash with Timea Bacsinszky as the 10th seed overcame Ekaterina Makarova 6-4. 5-7, 6-4.Spains Carla Suarez Navarro booked her place in the last 16 with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Germanys Sabine Lisicki.Sam Stosur and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova also reached the third round without having to hit a ball as 11th seed Lucie Safarova and Camila Giorgi withdrew.
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