Tuesday 14 June 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Football: Gritty minnows Iceland hold Ronaldo's Portugal

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SAINT-ETIENNE (AFP) - Minnows Iceland earned a 1-1 draw with Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal on their European championship debut as the superstar forward failed to score as he equalled his countrys apparence record.A superb finish by Nani gave Portugal the lead before Icelands industrious midfielder Birkir Bjarnason levelled for the Scandinavians in Saint Etienne.Ronaldo equalled Luis Figos record number of caps with both the Portugal legends now on 127 appearances.However, it was a quiet night for the Real Madrid forward, who failed to become the first man to score in four European Championships, as he was frustrated by Icelands dogged defence and a great display from goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson.Iceland, the tiny North Atlantic island nation of 330,000 people, is the smallest country by population ever to feature at a Euro finals.Their small band of supporters ensured one corner of the Stade Geoffrey Guichard was a sea of blue shirts and exploded in celebration after Bjarnasons equaliser.There was no place in the starting line-up for former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen, 37, who was on the bench having come out of international retirement to play in France.Ronaldo had a few early chances, while a bullet-header from Nani crashed off the boots of Iceland shot-stopper Halldorsson.But the Fenerbahce forward was not to be denied on 31 minutes when Andre Gomess cross from the right fell into Nanis path and he slotted coolly past Halldorsson at the near post to register the 600th goal ever scored at the European championships.It was a bitter pill for Iceland who had shown plenty of energy with the flowing locks of FC Basels Bjarnason a menace in midfield.It stayed 1-0 at the break, but Iceland pulled themselves level within five minutes of the restart thanks to a superbly worked goal finished off by Bjarnason.Icelands first goal at a major tournament came when Charlton Athletics Johan Gudmundssons towering cross found Bjarnason unmarked.The midfielder volleyed his shot past Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio to the delight of the Iceland bench.The silence of the Portugal fans behind their own goal was juxtaposed by the sheer delight of the Iceland fans as they celebrated a historic moment.Having surrendered their lead, Portugal laid siege to the Iceland goal as Halldorsson was kept busy.Ronaldos moment looked to have come five moments from time when he was picked out perfectly by Vierinhas cross only to head straight at Halldorsson.And the three-time World Player of the Year smashed a free-kick from a dangerous position straight into the Iceland wall with the last kick of the game as the referees full-time whistle was met with delight by the Iceland players and fans alike.A draw means it is all to play for in Group F after Hungary shocked Austria 2-0 earlier in Bordeaux to register their first win at a major finals for 30 years. Portugal face the highly-touted Austrians next in Paris, whilst Iceland take on pool leaders Hungary in Marseille on Saturday.

Football: Hungary stun 10-man Austria to end 30-year wait

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BORDEAUX (AFP) - Adam Szalai and Zoltan Stieber scored second-half goals as Hungary stunned highly-fancied Austria 2-0 in their Group F opener in Bordeaux on Tuesday.Austria, tipped as tournament dark horses, dominated the opening period but Szalai fired Hungary ahead on 62 minutes with Stieber wrapping up a shock victory over their old rivals late on in the 138th meeting between the sides. Aleksandar Dragovic was sent off for Austria shortly after Szalai ended an 18-month goal drought as Hungary made a triumphant return to a major tournament having last featured at the 1986 World Cup.The players played out of their skins, said Hungary coach Bernd Storck, who had previously described just qualifying for the tournament as a miracle.This game today against such a difficult team, we had to play some very good football. We had a bit of luck, but you need a bit of luck in football.Austria coach Marcel Koller bemoaned a disappointing performance which cranks up the pressure on his side ahead of Saturdays game against Portugal in Paris.Unfortunately we werent able to do what we wanted today, he said.Maybe some players were nervous because it was the beginning. We cant just push a button and say Now Im going to play at my best level.The situation now is well have to try and win against Portugal.Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly kept a clean sheet as he became the first 40-year-old to feature at the European Championship, surpassing Germanys Lothar Matthaus as the oldest player in tournament history.Austria captain Christian Fuchs and winger Martin Harnik were the only two survivors from the countrys debut campaign eight years ago named in Kollers starting line-up. However, they were inches away from the perfect start when Bayern Munich star David Alaba went agonisingly close to justifying his billing as one of the potential stars of the tournament when his dipping left-footed strike from outside the area crashed against the post.The versatile Alaba, operating in his customary central midfield role with Austria, soon fired another warning to Hungary with a first-time strike at Kiraly after a threaded pass through from Marko Arnautovic.Szalai miscued a header from a Balazs Dzsudzsak free-kick in a rare opening for Hungary, while Kiraly showed his reflexes remain sharp despite his advancing years to claw behind a low strike from Zlatko Junuzovic.Arnautovic then slid a dangerous low ball across the face of goal as Austria continued to threaten, but Harnik lost his footing as he tried to slide home at the far post.Hungary captain Dzsudzsak wasted arguably the best chance of the opening 45 minutes, though, as he screwed his shot wide of goal after he was picked out by Laszlo Kleinheisler on the right-hand side of the penalty area.Dzsudzsak again took aim 10 minutes into the second period, his stinging 30-yard shot forcing Austria keeper Robert Almer to punch behind for a corner.And Hungary grabbed a surprise lead just beyond the hour when Kleinheisler slipped in Szalai, who was played onside by Fuchs, with the powerful striker poking the ball underneath Almer for his first goal at any level since December 2014.Austria appeared to have levelled when Martin Hinteregger rifled in from the edge of the area, but referee Clement Turpin disallowed the goal for a foul on Tamas Kadar with Dragovic dismissed for a second booking. And Stieber triggered delirious celebrations when he raced from just inside the Austria half to beat Almer three minutes from time with a sublime chip as Hungary completed a stunning upset for their first European Championship win since 1964.

Tennis: Murray advances at Queens, Wawrinka crashes out

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LONDON (AFP) - Andy Murray made a successful start to his reunion with coach Ivan Lendl as the defending champion battled to a 7-6 (10/8), 7-6 (7/1) victory over Nicolas Mahut at Queens Club on Tuesday.Murray is bidding for a record fifth title at the Wimbledon warm-up event and the world number two ignored the slippery conditions on a rainy day in west London to advance to the second round in one hour and 50 minutes.He will play Britains Aljaz Bedene or Frances Benoit Paire for a place in the quarter-finals.Earlier, Stan Wawrinka suffered more misery on grass despite the addition of new coach Richard Krajicek as the Swiss second seed crashed to a 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) first round defeat against Fernando Verdasco.Murray enjoyed a golden two-year period with Lendl that brought him the Wimbledon and US Open titles and an Olympic gold medal before they parted in 2014 due to the Czechs refusal to increase the amount of time they worked together.The 29-year-old had hankered after a reunion ever since and, although there is plenty of room for improvement, he was pleased with the way he subdued the dangerous Mahut in the first match of the second Lendl era.It was tough. Nico is a very accomplished grass-court player, Murray said.Ivan doesnt give any signs during the match. He has a pretty straight face. But it is great to have him back and, working with Jamie Delgado, I think it is a pretty strong team. Hopefully they can help me win more big events.Mahut had won just one of his previous five meetings with Murray, but the French world number 51 had won the grass-court event in s-Hertogenbosch on Monday and finished as Queens runner-up in 2007. In contrast, Murray was playing for the first time since losing his maiden French Open final against Novak Djokovic nine days ago.Murray felt so frustrated and run down when he left Paris that he didnt touch a racket for the next five days.So inevitably there were a few signs of rust as Murray acclimatised to the grass and Mahut landed the first blow when he broke for a 3-2 lead.But Murray broke back in the next game and Lendl, hidden behind sunglasses and a baseball cap, was typically impassive as he watched the Scot edge through.Despite being ranked fifth in the world and having won two Grand Slam titles, Wawrinka has never triumphed at a grass-court tournament and he added 1996 Wimbledon champion Krajicek to his coaching team last week in a bid to find some answers.But, with Manchester United legend David Beckham and his son Romeo watching, the early returns on the partnership werent promising as world number 53 Verdasco set up a second round meeting with Australias Bernard Tomic, who beat South Africas Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-4.Grass is always a challenging surface for my game. I need quite a lot of practice to play my best. I tried today with what I had, but I need more time to get to my level, Wawrinka said.When the grass is quite fast, you need to be the aggressive player. Fernando was better than me today.Elsewhere, 2012 Queens champion Marin Cilic defeated Spains Feliciano Lopez 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and next plays Serbias Janko Tipsarevic, who defeated 2014 Queens winner Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 6-3.Spanish sixth seed Roberto Bautista Agut ground out a 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/1) victory over 2010 Queens winner Sam Querrey and next faces Donald Young.Milos Raonics first match since hiring American great John McEnroe as his coach was suspended at 6-7 (5/7) 6-4 due to bad light after the Canadian third seed drew level with Australias Nick Kyrgios.

Tennis: Muguruza stunned at Spanish homecoming match

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SANTA PONSA (AFP) - Fresh from winning the French Open and climbing to second place in the world rankings, Spains Garbine Muguruza was shocked 6-3, 6-4 by Belgiums Kirsten Flipkens at the WTA Mallorca Open on Tuesday.The match was top seed Muguruzas first since lifting the Roland Garros title for her first Grand Slam by beating her idol Serena Williams in the final in Paris two weeks ago.I wanted to play Mallorca so much and I tried, but then I went to the court. But I couldnt find my rhythm and Flipkens game matches grass very well, said the Venezuelan-born 22-year-old at the inaugural Santa Ponca event.I barely had time to actually practise and enjoy the tournament.With the contest poised at 3-3 in the first set, Muguruza blew a string of break points before the Belgian held and then broke herself before serving out the first set.The Spaniard seemed to wilt thereafter.I had so many opportunities coming to me that I couldnt take, and she played really well during those big moments, said Muguruza. So the match started slipping away from me little by little.Flipkens will now meet Monica Puig, who beat Germanys Julia Gorges, in the second round.Second seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia beat Croatias Ana Konjuh 7-5, 6-3 while another Serb, third seed Ana Ivanovic, beat Pauline Parmentier of France 6-4, 6-4.I wasnt really able to play my game but slowly, little by little, I started to get in my rhythm. I felt more comfortable on the court and I think she just couldnt follow, Jankovic said.Canadas Eugenie Bouchard, the beaten 2014 Wimbledon finalist and eighth seed in Mallorca, beat Montenegran Danka Kovinic 6-3, 7-5 before saying the heat in Spain had taken its toll on her.Its hot over here, were not used to that when we play on grass, its usually cold, rainy countries, said the 22-year-old.

Tennis: Kvitova rekindles love affair with grass

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BIRMINGHAM (AFP) - Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova renewed her love affair with grass on Tuesday with a near-perfect start on Tuesday to the Birmingham WTA tournament, a Wimbledon warm-up event.Her fine serving and deceptive flat hitting earned a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Lucie Safarova, who is a childhood friend, fellow Czech, fellow left-hander and even a hitting partner at their home club in Moravia.Mentally the match was not much of a contest -- even though Safarova ended 2015 in the worlds top ten for the first time -- but it did become a stage for Kvitova to show that she might still be a leading contender on this surface.I always feel great on grass, Kvitova said after a purring, high-speed performance. I love grass. My style of game just works on it. I like being here and at Wimbledon. I have great memories, and I just wish the grass court season could be longer.This was almost perfect for me today. I think I served well and timed the ball well. Normally I have problems with my movement at the beginning on grass, but today I felt I was good with that as well.Kvitovas speedy success also enabled her to finish before the arrival of the rain, which soon afterwards interrupted two other matches for lengthy periods. Kvitova was quick to emphasise that she needs many more matches on this surface, both here this week and at Eastbourne next week, before being confident of challenging for a third Wimbledon title.However, health issues, personal problems, and an absence of titles for ten months, means that doubts will linger.Kvitovas smooth start was emphasised by the stop-start beginning for the titleholder, Angelique Kerber, who trailed Peng Shuai, the former top 20 Chinese player, by 3-4 before an angry-looking cloud sent them running to the club-house.The second seeded German has not found life easy after her stunning Grand Slam triumph in Australia at the start of the year, with five first round losses, and the three and a half hour interruption was one of the last things she needed.On resumption, Kerber had difficult moments in a pivotal tie-break but was sufficiently consistent to complete a 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 success without ever being at her best against a tricky opponent.First matches on grass are not easy, Kerber said. Returning after the rain I was careful with my movement because it was slippery in the corners.But I tried to stay focussed, and Im pleased with the win. I get down low well and I think my game adapts well to this surface.Earlier, another Czech, the eight-seeded Karolina Pliskova, lost 6-4, 7-6(9-7) to Barbora Strycova, in another rain-blighted contest. The result was not such a surprise as Pliskova had five matches last week in winning the Nottingham title, and was far from fresh. Strycova is also a former finalist in Birmingham.It was a patience-testing day for Agnieszka Radwanska, the top seed, who could get through only eight games against CoCo Vanderwegh and had to tolerate three interruptions.Fourth seed Belinda Bencic, fifth seed Carla Suarez Navarro and Caroline Wozniacki, the former world number one, all waited steadfastly but failed to get on court.

Tennis: Sharapova appeals two-year doping ban to CAS

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LAUSANNE (AFP) - Russian superstar Maria Sharapova has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against her two-year doping ban, CAS confirmed on Tuesday.The 29-year-old tested positive for the controversial banned medication meldonium during Januarys Australian Open.The ban, announced by the International Tennis Federation last week, is backdated to January 26 this year, when she tested positive for the prohibited substance.In her appeal to the CAS, Ms Sharapova seeks the annulment of the Tribunals decision to sanction her with a two-year period of ineligibility further to an anti-doping rule violation, CAS said in a statement, adding that a decision would be made by July 18 at the latest.Ms Sharapova submits that the period of ineligibility should be eliminated, or in the alternative, reduced.If her appeal is unsuccessful the five-time Grand Slam champion will miss the Olympic Games in Rio in August while the earliest Grand Slam she could next enter is the French Open in 2018.Sharapova blasted the ban as unfairly harsh in a statement on her Facebook page.While the tribunal concluded correctly that I did not intentionally violate the anti-doping rules, I cannot accept an unfairly harsh two-year suspension, fumed Sharapova.The tribunal, whose members were selected by the ITF, agreed that I did not do anything intentionally wrong, yet they seek to keep me from playing tennis for two years. I will immediately appeal the suspension portion of this ruling to CAS, the Court of Arbitration for Sport.Meldonium was added to the world anti-doping WADA list on January 1. Sharapova said shed been taking it for 10 years to help treat illnesses, a heart issue and a magnesium deficiency.

MSCI emerging index adds Pakistan

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NEW YORK (Agencies) - Pakistan’s stock market, which has risen the most in Asia this year, could be in for an additional boost after MSCI Inc. said it will include the nation’s equities in its benchmark emerging-market index for the first time since 2008.The index provider said the MSCI Pakistan Index will be reclassified to emerging-market status, coinciding with its May 2017 semi-annual index review. EFG Hermes said last month that an upgrade could lure around $475 million of inflows by the middle of next year. The country’s benchmark index rallied the most in five weeks before MSCI’s decision late Tuesday in New York.“Pakistan is moving into acceptance: the nation has what it needs, a decently functional state and decent stability,” Mattias Martinsson, the Stockholm-based chief investment officer at Tundra Fonder, which holds $200 million of Pakistani equities, said before the announcement.Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is seeking to boost economic growth to its fastest pace in more than a decade after achieving stability through an International Monetary Fund loan program that averted an external payments crisis in 2013. The nation also plans to end an energy crisis in two years with the help of $46 billion of planned Chinese investment. Even so, Pakistan may struggle to get much attention as an emerging market.The Karachi Stock Exchange KSE100 Index has gained 15 percent this year, making it the best performer in Asia. The gauge has climbed 4.2 percent this month, compared with a 0.5 percent decline in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.Pakistan was downgraded to frontier status in December 2008, four months after the Karachi Stock Exchange imposed a rule that caused near total paralysis of market activity for more than three months. The bourse set an index floor to stop a plunge that wiped out $36.9 billion of market value in about four months after then military ruler Pervez Musharraf left office to avoid impeachment.MSCI’s Frontier Markets Index currently features 16 Pakistani companies that make up about 9 percent of the gauge. Valuations on the nation’s stocks have fallen over the past year, and an upgrade to emerging-market status could spur a rally, Martinsson said.The United Arab Emirates and Qatar -- the last two countries to be promoted to emerging-market status by MSCI -- saw their benchmark share gauges jump by at least a third in the 12 months following their addition in June 2013.Among the companies MSCI plans to move to its emerging-markets indexes are drug maker Searle Co., which has already gained 51 percent this year, Pakistan Oilfields Ltd., with a 31 percent increase for 2016, and Maple Leaf Cement Factory Ltd., up 29 percent.Frontier-market funds are likely to keep much of their exposure to Pakistan even if it regained emerging-market status, EFG Hermes said in a report last month.“Pakistan’s market has been doing so well as valuations are some of the lowest in the region,” Arthur Kwong, the Hong Kong-based head of Asia-Pacific equities at BNP Paribas Investment Partners, which oversees about 552 billion euros ($619 billion), said before the MSCI announcement. “Basically people are looking for alternatives, finding markets that are less correlated to the U.S. interest-rate cycle and the China macro slowdown. Pakistan, no doubt, is one of the outstanding spots.”

Karachi: 7 accused arrested during police operations

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Crackdown against criminal elements continued in Karachi as police detained seven accused, including two proclaimed offenders, during operations in different parts of the city on Tuesday, Dunya News reported.According to details, police arrested an accused named Abdullah Baig during an operation in Gulshanabad area. According to SSP East, Faisal Abdullah, the arrested accused was wanted by police in several cases.In a separate development, police carried out an operation in PIB Colony and arrested three foreigners. Those who were arrested were identified as Abdullah, Bashir Khan and Hazrat Ullah while a case has also been registered against them.Police also arrested two proclaimed offenders, Abdul Qadir and Amjad, during an operation in Bahadarabad area. Police sources said that both the arrested persons were involved in several cases.Police also apprehended a gang war accused during an operation in SITE area and recovered arms and stolen goods from his possession.

Oil prices drop as IEA warns of 'enormous' stockpiles

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Crude futures fell for a fourth session running Tuesday as the International Energy Agency warned that huge stockpiles would cap any future price gains.In New York, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for July delivery shed 39 cents to $48.49 a barrel. In London, Brent North Sea crude for delivery in August was down 52 cents at $49.83 a barrel.The IEA said in its monthly report that it expects global crude demand to grow by 1.3 million barrels a day this year and again next year, with buyers encouraged by low prices.Even so, it said, There is an enormous inventory overhang to clear, the IEA said. This is likely to dampen prospects of a significant increase in oil prices.Worries about big stocks have caused the oil price to fall back from this years high of around $51 reached early last month, the agency said.That echoed Mondays report from the OPEC oil cartel, which said that speculators became somewhat less interested in long positions because of the overhang in inventories.The IEA added in the report that there is a huge number of moving parts in the current oil market environment, making accurate predictions hazardous.They include Irans sharp increase in output, political turmoil in Libya that has contained its output, Nigerias security problems, Canadas slow return to full output after forest fires curtailed production from its oil sands hub and a possible rebound in US production encouraged by firmer prices.

Dollar edges higher vs euro as central banks weigh policy

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar pushed higher on the euro and the yen was stronger Tuesday as markets girded for monetary policy updates by the Federal Reserve, Bank of England and the Bank of Japan.The Fed should keep rates on hold but could moderate its previously hawkish view on tighter policy when it releases its statement and new growth forecasts on Wednesday at 1800 GMT, analysts said.The BoJ could possibly expand its asset purchases to further boost the struggling Japanese economy on Thursday.Meanwhile, the Bank of England will almost certainly keep policy on hold Thursday ahead of the June 23 Brexit referendum, but the minutes to its last meeting could show the level of concern and preparation if the vote favors breaking with the European Union. It makes very little sense for any central bank to do anything before the June 23 vote -- they need to save their ammo in case markets slip heading into the second half of the year, said Christopher Vecchio at DailyFX.

Pakistan hire Australian Rixon to lift fielding

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KARACHI (AFP) - Pakistan Tuesday finalised its coaching team for their England tour, appointing Australian Steve Rixon to lift their dwindling fielding standards.Rixon was appointed on the recommendation of head coach Mickey Arthur, who was brought in last month after Pakistans disastrous World Twenty20 in India where it failed to reach the semi-finals.Arthur replaces Waqar Younis, who resigned in April.Pakistan in April appointed former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq as chief selector as they look to improve their rankings in one-day and Twenty20 internationals.A Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman said: We have appointed Rixon as fielding coach, Mushtaq Ahmed as bowling coach for Tests, Azhar Mahmood (bowling coach) for the limited over series, said the spokesman.Rixon, 62, is regarded as a hard taskmaster and Arthur said last week the teams fielding was in need of a huge lift.Pakistan leave for England on June 18 and will train in Hampshire before opening the tour with a three-day side game against Somerset from July 3.They play Sussex from July 8 to 10 in another side game before taking on England in the first of four Tests at Lords from July 14.The Tests will be followed by five one-day internationals and a Twenty20.

Afghan leadership decides to solve Torkham issue through diplomacy

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KABUL (Dunya News) – Afghan president Ashraf Ghani chaired an emergency meeting of Afghan Security Council on Torkham border issue in Kabul on Tuesday, reported Dunya News.It was decided in the meeting that issue could be solved by diplomacy only and it could not be solved by war. On the other hand tension remained on border as firing exchange was going on until Tuesday evening

Cannot see TOR committee sitting together in future: Shah Mehmood Qureshi

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that there was no progress in meeting of opposition leaders on Tuesday and he thought that Terms of Reference (TORs) committee might not sit together in future, while conversing in Dunya News’ programme ‘Dunya Kamran Khan Kay Saath’.Qureshi said that there was no other opinion about accountability of Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif. He also said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also cleared his stance about accountability of PM.Shah also added that attitude of government could be seen from statements of federal ministers Khawaja Saad Rafique and Khawaja Asif. He said that government was trying to divide the opposition and time had come for opposition to join the hands.

Obama to gay community: 'You are not alone'

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ORLANDO, June 14, 2016 (AFP) - US President Barack Obama on Tuesday voiced solidarity with the LGBT community after the shooting rampage at a Orlando gay nightclub, calling the gunman an angry, disturbed, unstable young man who became radicalized.Investigators were working to untangle the complicated motive of Omar Mateen, as witnesses said the 29-year-old American of Afghan descent -- who was married with a child -- frequented the popular nightspot and used gay dating apps.The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the shooting in Orlando early Sunday. The FBI said Mateen pledged allegiance to the IS leader in 911 calls made during the killing spree -- the worst mass shooting in US history.Forty-nine people were killed and another 53 wounded after Mateen opened fire early Sunday at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, a resort city in central Florida mainly known as the home to Walt Disney World and other amusement parks.After a meeting of his National Security Council, Obama said the countrys thoughts were with survivors and relatives of the dead, as well as the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community who were targeted.You are not alone. The American people and our allies and friends all over the world stand with you, Obama said.He reiterated the official belief that Mateen -- a practicing Muslim -- had absorbed extremist propaganda online, noting: He appears to have been an angry, disturbed, unstable young man who became radicalized.Obama will travel to Orlando on Thursday to pay his respects to victims families.MSNBC and ABC News, citing unnamed law enforcement officials, reported that Mateens wife may have had prior knowledge of her husbands plan and could face criminal charges.Noor Mateen, who is 30, was cooperating with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and claims she tried to convince her husband not to go through with the shooting, the networks said.When asked about the reports, an FBI spokeswoman told AFP: I wouldnt confirm that. We are not going to talk about any ongoing matter or any parts of the investigations.The investigation took a new turn after witnesses said Mateen -- who was killed in a shootout with police when they stormed the venue -- had been a regular at PulseSometimes he would go over in the corner and sit and drink by himself, and other times he would get so drunk he was loud and belligerent, Ty Smith told the Orlando Sentinel, noting he had seen Mateen at the club at least a dozen times.Another Pulse regular, Kevin West, told the Los Angeles Times that Mateen messaged him on and off for a year using a gay chat app.Clubgoers told local media and MSNBC that Mateen had been using multiple gay apps, including Grindr, with mutual acquaintances to hook up.And a man who attended law enforcement training classes with Mateen in 2006 told the Palm Beach Post that the slain gunman had once asked him out on a date.We went to a few gay bars with him, and I was not out at the time, so I declined his offer, said the former classmate, who asked not to be identified to protect his privacy.Mateens ex-wife, Sitora Yusufiy, who has said he beat her, told CNN on Monday that he had confessed to me about his past that was recent at that time and that he very much enjoyed going to clubs and the nightlife.I feel like its a side of him or a part of him that he lived but probably didnt want everybody to know about, she said.- Im next. Im deadPolice have now identified all 49 victims, who ranged in age from 18 to 50. Of the 53 people wounded, 27 remained in hospital Tuesday, with six of them in critical condition, doctors at Orlando Regional Medical Center said.Survivor Angel Colon, who suffered three bullet wounds to his leg, which was shattered as people trampled him to escape Pulse, offered a harrowing account of the carnage to reporters.I can hear the (gunshots) closer, and I look over and he shoots the girl next to me. And Im just there laying down. Im thinking, Im next. Im dead, Colon said.And hes just doing this for another five, ten minutes. Hes just shooting all over the place.The shooting hit Orlandos Latino community hard -- the club was hosting a Latin Night when the attack occurred. Thousands joined a vigil late Monday.The slaughter has raised questions about US counterterror strategy -- the FBI said it had investigated Mateen but cleared him of extremist ties.But in his noon press conference, a fiery Obama lashed out at Republicans, especially presidential hopeful Donald Trump, for anti-Muslim rhetoric that he said was counterproductive to the fight on extremism.Where does this stop? The Orlando killer, one of the San Bernardino killers, the Fort Hood killer -- they were all US citizens, he said.Are we going to start treating all Muslim Americans differently? Are we going to start subjecting them to special surveillance? Are we going to start discriminating against them because of their faith?The rampage has also raised questions about gun laws. Mateen legally bought the assault rifle and handgun used in the attack.Obama has demanded that the Republican-controlled Congress pass legislation to curb the sale of assault-type weapons like the one used in Orlando -- a measure that conservatives say violates their constitutional right to bear arms

Will take revenge over Major Ali's martyrdom: Asif

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ISLAMABAD/KARACHI (Dunya News) – Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday stated that revenge shall be taken over the martyrdom of Major Ali Jawad Changezi, who got severely injured as a result of firing from the Afghan forces and succumbed to his wounds earlier in the day, reported Dunya News.Asif tweeted that Major Ali’s blood will not go in vain, adding that the enemies of the country want Pakistan to lose the success it has made as a result of Operation Zarb-e-Azb.Martyrdom of Maj. Jawad Changezi Shaheed will not go in vain, it will be avenged, even as enemies seek to rob us of Zarb-e-Azb peace gains.— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) June 14, 2016 Later, while conversing in Dunya News’ programme ‘Dunya Kamran Khan Kay Saath’, Asif stated that Pakistan has always wanted the betterment for Afghanistan but the massacre being carried out in the country traces back to Mullah Fazlullah who is in Afghanistan and has the support of the Afghan government.Defence Minister said that the issue will prolong if the Afghan officials do not allow the Pakistani forces to manage the border affairs. ‘Afghanistan will have to be answerable if our blood spills’, he said.
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