Monday 16 January 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Aussies hire spin gurus ahead of India tour

Posted:

SYDNEY (AFP) - Former Indian bowler Sriram Sridharan will work with Australia as a spin consultant on the upcoming tour of India, Cricket Australia announced Tuesday.Sridharan played eight one-day internationals for India and toured with Australian squads in Sri Lanka and India last year.He knows our players very well and has a wealth of knowledge on the conditions that our players will face in India, said team performance manager Pat Howard.Australia have named four spinners in the squad to take on top-ranked India in the series that begins in Pune on February 23.Uncapped Mitchell Swepson, 23, joins Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar and Steve OKeefe.Monty Panesar, the former England spinner, who played three Test tours of India for 28 wickets, has also been recruited by Australia to impart his knowledge of sub-continent pitches.Panesar, who was one of Englands 2012 winning tourists in India, will spend a week in Brisbane with the Australians as they seek to bolster their chances of winning their first match in India since 2004.

Eugene Cernan, last man to walk on moon, dead at 82

Posted:

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US astronaut Eugene Cernan, the last man to set foot on the moon, died Monday at age 82, NASA and his family announced.Cernan was the spacecraft commander of Apollo 17 -- his third space flight and the last scheduled US manned mission to the moon -- in December 1972.We are saddened by the loss of retired NASA astronaut Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, the US space agency said on Twitter.According to a family statement released by NASA, Cernan, a retired naval officer, died following ongoing health issues.It is with very deep sadness that we share the loss of our beloved husband and father, the family said. Our family is heartbroken, of course, and we truly appreciate everyones thoughts and prayers. Gene, as he was known by so many, was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, the statement added.Even at the age of 82, Gene was passionate about sharing his desire to see the continued human exploration of space and encouraged our nations leaders and young people to not let him remain the last man to walk on the moon.The space community quickly took to Twitter to pay tribute to Cernan and honor his legacy.Saddened by the loss of pioneer, fellow naval aviator, astronaut and friend Gene Cernan RIP lastmanonthemoon, said retired American astronaut Scott Kelly.Ad Astra, Gene, tweeted NASAs Kennedy Space Center, using a Latin phrase meaning to the stars.We mourn the loss of our friend Gene Cernan, the Last Man on the Moon and a hero for the ages, said the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Godspeed the Commander of Apollo 17.On what would be the last manned mission to the lunar surface, Cernans second to the moon, the crew captured the iconic image of a full view of the planet Earth dubbed Blue Marble.Everythings three dimension when you look back at the Earth in all its splendor, in all its glory, multicolors of the blues of the oceans and whites of the snow and the clouds, the astronaut said of his final mission, in a 2007 interview with NASA. The footprints Cernan left on the moons surface remain visible more than four decades later.Id just like to record that Americas challenge of today has forged mans destiny of tomorrow, he said as he left the moon for the final time. Born in Chicago in 1934, Cernan received a degree in electrical engineering from Indianas Purdue University in 1956.He went on to earn a masters degree in aeronautical engineering from the US Naval Postgraduate School in California. Cernan was one of a class of 14 astronauts chosen to join NASA in 1963, and went on to serve on both Gemini and Apollo missions.He has spent 566 hours and 15 minutes in space -- logging more than 73 hours on the moons surface. Cernan retired from the Navy and NASA in 1976. He later entered the private business sector and provided television commentary during early space shuttle flights.The Last Man on the Moon -- a documentary about his life -- was released in 2016.The moonwalkers death comes one month after that of another space legend -- John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth.In December, Glenn was the last of the first seven US astronauts who led the nascent 1959 US space program to pass away. Cernans death marks the latest from a generation of space pioneers whose ranks are dwindling.Truly, America has lost a patriot and pioneer who helped shape our countrys bold ambitions to do things that humankind has never before achieved, said NASA administrator Charles Bolden of Cernans death.Cernan is survived by his wife Jan, one daughter, two step-daughters and nine grandchildren, the family said.

Tennis: Quickfire Pliskova fires Open warning shot

Posted:

MELBOURNE (AFP) - Fast-rising Czech star Karolina Pliskova breezed into the Australian Open second round Tuesday with a straight-sets rout as she fired a warning shot to her Grand Slam rivals.Ranked at a career-high five in the world, the tall and tattooed 24-year-old proved too hot to handle for Spains Sara Sorribes Tormo in blistering heat on Rod Laver Arena.She showed no mercy in thrashing the 106th-ranked Spaniard 6-2, 6,0 to set up a clash with either Russian qualifier Anna Blinkova or Romanian Monica Niculescu.I was a little bit nervous as the first round is always a bit tough and Im happy to be through, she said. I feel good on court and excited to be back in Melbourne.Pliskova, a US Open finalist last year, said ahead of the opening Grand Slam of the year that the Melbourne Park surface suited her game and it was the tournament that offered her the best chance for a maiden Grand Slam title.She came into the event as a form player with victory at the lead-up Brisbane International, and has tasted victory in Melbourne before -- winning the girls singles title in 2010.She traded blows early on against Sorribes Tormo, who was making her Australian Open debut, as she found her range before scoring the first break in the fourth game when the Spaniard slammed a backhand into the net.Pliskova didnt look back as she turned the screws, breaking again for 5-1 before losing her focus and allowing Sorribes Tormo to stay in touch by breaking back.But it was only a temporary blip as she took the set on a love service game next up.Power-server Pliskova, last years WTA aces leader, then raced through the second set in just 29 minutes as her opponent wilted.

Dense fog blankets different cities of Punjab

Posted:

LAHORE (Dunya News) - Dense fog has blanketed different cities of Punjab, including Lahore, Multan, Sheikhupura, Okara, Sahiwal and Bahawalpur, on night between Monday and Tuesday, Dunya News reported.The thick fog has also affected road traffic very badly. According to a Motorway spokesman, the Motorway section from Lahore to Sheikhupura has been closed as visibility was down to zero due to dense fog.Visibility was also down to zero at several places at the National Highway near Okara, Sahiwal Multan and BahalwalpurThe Motorway police have appealed the drivers to use GT Road for travel from Lahore to Sheikhupura. The Motorway police have also urged the drivers to drive slowly and switch on fog lights. They also requested people to stay home and avoid unnecessary travelling.

PSP president Anis Qaimkhani visits different parts of Karachi

Posted:

KARACHI (Dunya News) - Pak-Sarzameen Party (PSP) president Anis Qaimkhani visited different parts of Karachi on Monday during PSP’s mass contact movement, Dunya News reported.Anis Qaimkhani was also accompanied by PSP central cabinet members during the visit. A large number of party supporters were present to welcome PSP leaders.Speaking at different places in the city during his visit, Anis Qaimkhani informed PSP supporters about his party’s objectives.

Khanewal: Poisonous food claims one life

Posted:

KHANEWAL (Dunya News) – According to details, condition of five poultry farm labourers named Faizan, Waseem, Nauman, Abdur Rauf and Shahroz deteriorated after eating poisonous rice in Talumba area near Khanewal on Monday.They were rushed to the Nishtar Hospital where Faizan died while condition of other affected persons is also very serious. All the labourers were residents of Jampur area of Rajanpur. Meanwhile, police have started investigation.

Nankana: Girl abducted 20 years ago returns home

Posted:

NANKANA (Dunya News) – A girl who was kidnapped some 20 years ago from Baichki area near Nankana when she was 12-year-old returned to her home on Monday, Dunya News reported.According to details, Rehana now 32 was abducted in July 1997 by the influential persons of the area named Ashraf and Amjad with the help of their accomplices. They molested her for several days during captivity and then sold to a gang for prostitution who took her to Multan and then interior Sindh.Rehana managed to escape from their captivity on Monday and reached her home in Baichki. Rehana’s father Anayat and mother Sharifan Bibi had died while she was away.The heirs of Rehana informed that the FIR of her abduction was registered at the Bara Ghar Police Station but the culprits were not arrested. They have appealed the higher authorities to take stern action against the culprits and provide protection to the family.

Lahore: 3 accused arrested for doing aerial firing in Nawankot

Posted:

LAHORE (Dunya News) - Police arrested 3 accused for doing aerial firing, who turned out to be members of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) youth wing, reported Dunya News.Contractor Sufyan and arms dealer Honey had fired heavilyin the premises of Nawankot police station but the police took no action initially. Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shehbaz Sharif took notice when the news was aired on Dunya TV.CM gave order to arrest the culprits. Three companions of these accused were already arrested. Police was also conducting raids to arrest the contractor Sufyan.

People disappointed by govt are looking at PPP: Rehman Malik

Posted:

LONDON (Dunya News) - Former interior minister Rehman Malik said on Monday that people are disappointed by present government and are looking at Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), reported Dunya News.Rehman Malik was talking to Dunya News exclusively as he said that he and former ambassador to US Sherry Rehman will also attend Donald Trumps oath taking ceremony with Asif Ali Zardari.Rehman Malik also said that this perception is wrong that new US government is supporting PPP.

Gunmen kill 8 Egyptian policemen in southwest Egypt: ministry

Posted:

CAIRO (AFP) - Gunmen killed eight police late Monday in an attack on a checkpoint in el-Wadi el-Gedid province in southwest Egypt, the interior ministry said.Two of the attackers were killed when security forces fought back, and three other security personnel were injured, the ministry said in a statement.The attack took place on al-Naqab checkpoint, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) from el-Kharga city, the capital of the province, the ministry said.Jihadists have killed hundreds of soldiers and policemen since the military overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, which was followed by a bloody crackdown on his supporters.Most of the attacks have taken place in the north of the Sinai Peninsula, which borders Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip. Attacks have occurred in other parts of the country, including Cairo.The Islamic State (IS) jihadist group said on January 10 it was behind a car bomb assault on a police checkpoint in the Sinai that killed eight people a day earlier.IS also claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed 28 Christian Copts at a church service in Cairo on December 11.

Turkish police catch Istanbul nightclub attacker in city

Posted:

ISTANBUL (AFP) - Turkish police on Monday captured the suspected jihadist who slaughtered 39 people on New Years night at an Istanbul nightclub, detaining him in a raid on a residential area of the city after a long manhunt.The alleged assailant was found along with his four-year-old son in an apartment in the Esenyurt district of Istanbul after a massive police operation, state-run TRT television reported.The attacker had been on the run for over two weeks, after slipping into the night following the attack on the glamorous Reina nightclub on the Bosphorus.Reports had previously suggested he never left the Turkish metropolis, despite a tightening of borders in a bid to stop him escaping, triggering fears that a dangerous killer was on the loose in the city.The Islamic State (IS) group took responsibility for the bloodbath, the first time it has ever openly claimed a major attack in Turkey.It had previously been blamed for several strikes including triple suicide bombings at Istanbul airport in June.The suspect was caught in an operation jointly carried out by the Turkish police and the spy agency MIT, Turkish TV said.Turkish media published a picture of the detained man with blood on his face and T-shirt, his neck gripped by a policeman.Television images showed him being roughly led away, his head bent low.There had been confusion over the identity of the attacker in the wake of the massacre, with reports initially suggesting a Kyrgyz national and then a Uighur from China.But reports on January 8 said intelligence services and anti-terror police in Istanbul had identified him as a 34-year-old Uzbek who was part of a Central Asian IS cell.The state run Anadolu news agency identified the detained man as Abdulgadir Masharipov, while the Dogan news agency said he used the code name of Ebu Muhammed Horasani within IS. These are the same names given in the January 8 reports.The suspect was living in an apartment rented by a Kyrgyz in Istanbul who was also detained, TRT reported. Anadolu said a total of five people were detained in the operation, including three women.Anadolu added the suspected attacker had been brought to the Istanbul police headquarters for questioning. It said other raids took place on IS targets in the city, without giving further details.NTV television said the attacker was captured at a quarter past midnight (2115 GMT). The police had spotted his location three days earlier, but preferred to track him to identify his contacts.The son is under protection, the reports said.Turkish media reports had said that the gunman was a well-trained killer who had fought for IS in Syria and had gained weapons expertise there.The investigation had also focused on the central Turkish city of Konya where the attacker was reported to have lived for several weeks after returning from Syria before moving to Istanbul.At least 35 people have been detained before the latest raid in connection with the attack, according to Anadolu.Of the 39 killed in the attack on the glamorous nightclub, 27 were foreigners including citizens from Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iraq and Morocco who had been hoping to celebrate a special New Year.The attack, just 75 minutes into 2017, rocked Turkey which had already been shaken by a string of attacks in 2016 blamed on jihadists and Kurdish militants that left hundreds dead.Turkey had been accused by its Western allies of not doing enough to halt the rise of IS but the charges are denied by the Turkish authorities, who note the group has been listed as a terror organisation in the country since 2013.

Tennis: Murray, Nishikori call for Davis Cup revamp

Posted:

MELBOURNE (AFP) - Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori said the Davis Cup badly needed an overhaul on Monday as concerns grow over its ability to attract top players.Top-ranked Murray said talks were underway in the ATP Player Council to make the event more attractive, with its format and scheduling both in the firing line.Nishikori said he was skipping Japans upcoming Davis Cup tie, even though it is in Tokyo, because he already has a packed playing schedule.Everyone seems to be in agreement that the format needs to change, said Murray, who led Britain to the Davis Cup title in 2015.I do think it needs to change. If the top players arent playing, the event loses value, he added.Murray said there was clear opposition to the idea of holding the final at a neutral venue, but that little else had been agreed.Other suggestions include reducing matches from five sets to three and playing ties on Saturday and Sunday only, rather than Friday, Saturday and Sunday.We chatted about a lot of different changes. The one thing that we all agreed upon was that the neutral venue is not right, Murray said.Ties for the Davis Cup, billed as the World Cup of tennis, are spread across the year and teams that reach the final will have played four weekends at venues around the world.I hope they can make some changes. Yeah, right now I think its way too much to play three times or even if you play final, maybe four times, Nishikori said.I think that has to change, for sure, to make it shorter. I think all the players -- I dont know if all, but I think most of them are hoping to change.Nishikori has pulled out of Japans Davis Cup tie against France in Tokyo the week after the Australian Open, blaming the scheduling of the teams event.Im not playing because of the schedule, its gonna be too tight, Nishikori said.Going to South America, Rio and Buenos Aires, and if I play Davis Cup, thats way too much for my body and Indian Wells and Miami (tournaments) are coming up after. So I just decided not to play.

Football: FIFA warn Liverpool over Matip selection

Posted:

ZURICH (AFP) - FIFA warned Liverpool on Monday they cannot play Joel Matip unless Africa Cup of Nations participants Cameroon give the Premier League title-chasers permission.The key central defender missed Liverpools 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday amid a disagreement over his international status and he could be unavailable for the next month.Matip last year announced he no longer wished to be considered for selection by Cameroon and was not named in their Africa Cup of Nations squad.But the 25-year-old, who last played for Cameroon in September 2015, did figure in a preliminary squad list.In a statement a FIFA spokesperson told AFP that Liverpool had been directed to study article five of its rules. It states that a player who has been called up by his association for one of its representative teams is, unless otherwise agreed, not entitled to play for his club during the period for which he has been released, plus an additional period of five days.That means Liverpool could be without Matip until they play Tottenham Hotspur on February 11 should Cameroon reach the Nations Cup final in Libreville, Gabon.In a statement on Sunday Liverpool said it was their view that the player should be available for club football during the period of the competition and will continue to work for a speedy and unambiguous resolution.But the FIFA official warned: FIFA also indicated that any potential violation of the relevant rules would be the subject of an investigation by its disciplinary commission.Matip has returned to fitness after an ankle problem.

Formula One: Bottas joins Hamilton in 'dream' Mercedes move

Posted:

LONDON (AFP) - Valtteri Bottas was on Monday named as Lewis Hamiltons new teammate at Mercedes, the Finn replacing retired world champion Nico Rosberg after being freed to join the Formula One giants by Williams.The laid back 27-year-olds well-touted move to the all-conquering German constructor was facilitated by Williams persuading Felipe Massa to come out of retirement to race for them again in 2017.The Stuttgart-based Mercedes were left scrambling round for a second driver when Rosberg dramatically retired on December 2 just five days following his drivers title triumph.While Rosberg and Hamilton were arch-rivals, Bottas said at Mercedes team headquarters that he wanted a good relationship.I think we are going to be a strong pair together, he said.I really respect him (Hamilton) as a driver and as a person. He is so quick, he is a great reference for me.I am sure we are going to be close and we are going to be both pushing each other forward. But the main thing is that I am sure we are going to work as a team, to work together, and help the team as much as we can, and with a big spirit, go flat out.Hamilton took to Twitter to greet Rosbergs replacement.Welcome to the Team, Valtteri the British driver wrote.Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff observed: Its time to see how Valtteri can step up to challenge for wins and Championships.Rosberg and Hamilton enjoyed a fiery rivalry in their pursuit of perfection at Mercedes, the former go-cart chums frequently clashed, both on the circuit.Bottas may prove to be a perfect choice, with his calm temperament matched with speed behind the wheel.Valtteri is a no-nonsense guy: down to earth, straightforward and very focused. Pretty Finnish, to be honest, and a great fit for us, claimed Wolff.Minutes before Mercedes confirmation that Bottas had landed the coveted job Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams had described Bottas, who has nine top three finishes to his name, as a huge talent.I would like to take this opportunity to thank him on behalf of the whole team, and wish him a successful season as he joins Mercedes, she said.Massa, who has raced for Williams since 2014, will be joined in 2017 by Canadian teenage rookie Lance Stroll.For Bottas, this represents the ideal outcome as he moves over to a Mercedes team that has proved unbeatable in recent seasons, with Rosbergs maiden world championship following Hamiltons title successes in 2014 and 2015.I guarantee I will be giving it all, added the Monaco-based Bottas who switches stables after four seasons with Williams and 77 starts and an eighth place finish in the 2016 drivers championship.I want to thank Toto and everyone in the Mercedes diamond for this opportunity.I think its going to take a while to understand that this is really happening. Its definitely another dream come true, to race in another team with such great history.While Rosberg stunned F1 by turning his back on the sport, Massa was executing a u-turn after the 35-year-old had called time on his long career after the season-closing 2016 grand prix in Abu Dhabi in November.Im delighted that Felipe has agreed to come out of retirement to be a part of our 2017 campaign, said Williams.Massa, thrilled to be back in the F1 mix for another year, said of Bottas move to Mercedes: Valtteri has a great opportunity, given the turn of events over the winter, and I wish him all the best at Mercedes.Mercedes, who earlier Monday had agreed the signing by Sauber of their German driver Pascal Werhlein, say they are working hard to give Hamilton and Bottas the car they need to do the job.The next weeks will be busy as we work to build relationships so Valtteri understands the team and the car. But thats an exciting challenge that will bring us fresh energy and a new dynamic between the drivers, said Wolff.

Syrian rebels to attend Astana peace talks

Posted:

BEIRUT (AFP) - Syrian rebel groups said Monday they will attend peace talks next week, in a boost to efforts by rivals Turkey and Russia to put an end to the nearly six-year-old conflict.The pledges came as the Islamic State group, which is excluded from peace talks as well as a nationwide truce deal struck on December 30, advanced in oil-rich Deir Ezzor province, cutting off a key airport from government-held territory.The talks, beginning on January 23 in the Kazakh capital Astana, are designed to build on the truce that has largely held despite escalating violence across several battlefronts in recent days.Organised by rebel backer Turkey and regime allies Russia and Iran, the meetings are the latest bid to put an end to the brutal war raging in Syria since March 2011.The powers have backed opposing sides of Syrias conflict for years but have worked closely in recent weeks to end the bloodshed.If the Astana meetings are successful, they could bode well for fresh UN-hosted political negotiations on the conflict next month in Geneva.All the rebel groups are going (to Astana). Everyone has agreed, said Mohammad Alloush, a leading figure in the Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam) rebel group.Astana is a process to end the bloodletting by the regime and its allies. We want to end this series of crimes, Alloush said.Sources from the opposition and the regime said the talks would probably be face-to-face.Several rounds of peace talks brokered by the United Nations have failed to produce a political solution to the conflict.The Astana talks will adopt a different approach, focusing strictly on military developments ahead of the discussions in Switzerland in February.Ahmad Ramadan, from the leading National Coalition opposition group, said the Astana talks would aim to reinforce the truce while the details of the political process will be left to Geneva.Osama Abu Zeid, a legal adviser to rebel groups, said rebels were encouraged to attend by the fact that the agenda will be focused only on the ceasefire. The oppositions delegation to Astana will be only military but will consult a team of legal and political advisers from the High Negotiations Committee umbrella group, he said. For Syria expert Thomas Pierret, the participants will discuss military questions because those are the only ones they agree on.US President-elect Donald Trumps transition team has been invited but has not yet officially responded.Earlier this month, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said he was optimistic about the talks and would be ready for reconciliation with (rebels) on condition that they lay down their arms. Hundreds rallied Monday in the Kurdish city of Qamishli in protest at the exclusion of Kurdish political or military groups from the peace talks.Syrias conflict began with protests against Assad in 2011, but it has since morphed into a war that has killed 310,000 people and witnessed the rise of radical jihadists like IS. The group advanced Monday around the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, cutting off the regimes access route to a nearby airport. The supply route to the airport is cut, and the citys eastern half is cut off from its western half, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. A military source told AFP that government forces carried out more than 20 air strikes on IS positions on Monday.IS has resorted to heavy use of infiltrators and huge reinforcements from Raqa and western parts of Deir Ezzor province, the source said.Raqa, to the north, is the de facto capital of the self-styled caliphate IS declared across Syria and Iraq more than two years ago.IS already controls more than half of Deir Ezzor and launched a fierce offensive Saturday to capture remaining government-held territory, where the UN estimates 100,000 people live.The Observatory said the assault has killed at least 28 regime forces so far, as well as 40 IS fighters and at least 14 civilians.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)