Thursday 26 January 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

British PM woos US lawmakers ahead of Trump meeting

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PHILADELPHIA (AFP) - British Prime Minister Theresa May warned Americas allies on Thursday that they must step up and play their role in global security, as she wooed Republican lawmakers ahead of a meeting with US President Donald Trump.May won several standing ovations when she pledged her commitment to the special relationship between Britain and the United States at a Republican party meeting in Philadelphia.But while echoing some of Trumps concerns about the NATO military alliance, May also warned him against moving too close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying Washingtons approach should be to engage but beware.The prime minister will on Friday become the first foreign leader to meet with Trump following his inauguration last week, when they hold talks on post-Brexit trade at the White House.Britains second female prime minister, the reserved daughter of a vicar, has outwardly little in common with the outspoken US billionaire and her trip has attracted controversy at home.But May has expressed confidence in Trumps commitment to the UK-US special relationship, and told reporters on her plane that sometimes opposites attract.In Philadelphia, May met senior Republicans including House Speaker Paul Ryan and became the first foreign leader to address the partys gathering.In her speech, May echoed Trumps warnings that the US would not pay for the worlds defense, saying: They should not undermine the alliances that keep us strong by failing to step up and play their part.However, while accepting the need for reform in NATO and other international institutions such as the United Nations, she said they were vital in encouraging cooperation on global threats such as terrorism and climate change.May acknowledged rising tensions between the US and China, but said fears of the eclipse of the West would not come to fruition if Britain and the United States stood together.She invoked the memory of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan working together in the Cold War.We -- our two countries together -- have a joint responsibility to lead. Because when others step up as we step back, it is bad for America, for Britain and the world, she said.In a reference to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, she said: The days of Britain and America intervening in sovereign countries in an attempt to remake the world in our own image are over. But nor can we afford to stand idly by when the threat is real and when it is in our own interests to intervene. We must be strong, smart and hard-headed.May also defended the Iranian nuclear deal that Trump has denounced, although she said it should be very carefully and rigorously policed.May is eager to start talks on a US-UK free trade agreement for when Britain leaves the European Union, which is also likely to mean leaving Europes single market and its 500 million consumers.Trump has hailed the Brexit vote as smart, believing it mirrors his own anti-establishment rise to the White House, but his calls for a protectionist trade regime could prove problematic for May.Both London and Washington have expressed their interest in a quick trade deal, although under EU rules Britain must wait until it has left the bloc before it signs deals with any other states.There is much we can do in the interim, in terms of looking at how we can remove some of the barriers to trade in a number of areas, she told reporters on her plane.Trump is highly controversial in Britain, not least for his disparaging and predatory comments on women, which May has described as unacceptable.She also had tough words on the presidents position on torture, which he said Wednesday absolutely works.We condemn torture and my view on that wont change whether Im talking to you or talking to the president, she told reporters.Last January, parliament debated banning Trump from Britain after nearly 600,000 people signed a public petition, sparked by his promise to ban Muslims from the United States if elected president.I will be representing the issues of everybody in the UK when I see Donald Trump, she added.May brought a hamper of products from her official country residence, Chequers, for First Lady Melania Trump and a Scottish Quaich cup for the president, in honor of his Scottish roots.

Mexico leader cancels US trip in border wall row with Trump

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MEXICO CITY (AFP) - Tensions between Donald Trump and Mexicos Enrique Pena Nieto over the US leaders vow to make Mexico fund a new wall on the neighbors border boiled over Thursday with the cancellation of talks in Washington set for next week.Trump had been scheduled to receive Pena Nieto at the White House on Tuesday, for their first meeting since the inauguration. Instead, the Republican president is managing a foreign policy spat during his first week in office.The escalating war of words over who would pay for the proposed border wall -- a central pledge made by Trump during his successful presidential campaign -- hit the breaking point on Thursday.If Mexico is unwilling to pay for the badly needed wall, then it would be better to cancel the upcoming meeting, Trump said on Twitter in the morning.Pena Nieto didnt take long to rise to the challenge.We informed the White House this morning that I will not attend the working meeting scheduled for next Tuesday with Trump in Washington, the Mexican leader responded on Twitter.Mexico reiterates its willingness to work with the United States to reach agreements in both nations interests.Hours later, Trump told Republican lawmakers at a retreat in Philadelphia that the cancellation was by mutual agreement.Unless Mexico is going to treat the United States fairly, with respect, such a meeting would be fruitless, and I want to go a different route. I have no choice, he said.White House spokesman Sean Spicer earlier told reporters that the lines of communications would remain open and Washington hoped to schedule something in the future.The initial salvos between the two presidents came Wednesday, when Trump ordered officials to begin to plan, design and construct a physical wall along the 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) US-Mexico border.Stemming immigration was a central plank of Trumps election campaign, but he has struggled to articulate how the wall will be paid for, beyond saying Mexico will pay.Republican leaders announced Thursday they would try to carve out $12-15 billion worth of US taxpayers money for the project.Trump also ordered a survey of the border to be completed within 180 days.Much of the land needed to build the wall would have to be seized from private citizens in Texas, the state of Texas or tribal authorities.That could result in long court battles and hefty expropriation payments.Trumps wall order had put Pena Nieto under fierce domestic pressure to hit back, and hit back the Mexican leader did in a video message to the nation late Wednesday.I regret and condemn the decision of the United States to continue construction of a wall that, for years, has divided us instead of uniting us, Pena Nieto said.I have said it time and again: Mexico will not pay for any wall, he added.Around two in three Mexicans have a favorable opinion of the United States, according to Pew surveys, but anti-American and anti-Trump sentiment is not uncommon.Pena Nieto saw his own approval rating slide late last year, after he hosted Trump -- then still a White House candidate -- in Mexico City.Trump also took to Twitter on Thursday to gripe about the trade gap between Mexico and the United States.The US has a 60 billion dollar trade deficit with Mexico. It has been a one-sided deal from the beginning of NAFTA with massive numbers of jobs and companies lost, he said.That deficit for the trade in goods is slightly higher than the overall trade deficit -- including services -- of $49 billion in 2015.Trump has vowed to renegotiate the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada.That renegotiation could provide one way for Trump to claim victory, through increased tariffs on Mexican goods or higher border transit costs.But it could also risk retaliatory tariffs or blowback from US firms who export $267 billion a year south of the border.Another threat is to finance the wall by tapping into remittances that Mexican migrants send home, which last year amounted to $25 billion.Trump has also ordered officials to scour US government departments and agencies in search of direct and indirect aid or assistance to the Mexican government and report back within 30 days.The United States is expected to provide about $134 million worth of assistance to Mexico this year, with much of the spending wrapped up in the Merida Initiative to combat drug cartels.

UN gears up for talks on US threat to cut funding

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The United Nations on Thursday said it was eager for talks with the new US administration following reports that President Donald Trump was considering draconian funding cuts to the world body.Ambassador Nikki Haley will present her diplomatic credentials to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday and the pair will hold their first face-to-face meeting at UN headquarters.Haleys term as new US envoy begins as US media reported that a draft executive order being prepared at the White House could deprive the United Nations of billions of dollars in US financial support.The United States is by far the UNs biggest financial contributor, providing 22 percent of its operating budget and funding 28 percent of peacekeeping missions, which currently cost $7.8 billion annually.Asked about the leaks in the New York Times and Washington Post, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric stressed that these were reports and that no decisions had been taken.We are eager to start discussions with the incoming US administration, he said. The spokesman suggested that changes to UN funding would open up a lengthy process involving all 193 UN member-states who agree on sharing out the cost of UN programs and activities.The UN has the funding structure that it has. It is one that we operate with and that we will probably continue to operate with in the foreseeable future, he said.The Trump administration is proposing a 40 percent cut in some US funding, according to the draft executive order titled Auditing and Reducing US Funding of International Organizations.The Washington Post reported that this would affect voluntary US contributions to programs such as those run by the UN childrens agency UNICEF or humanitarian appeals.The order would set up a committee to carry out a one-year review of US funding for UN agencies including the budget for the UNs 16 peacekeeping missions worldwide.The order would scrap all funding to any UN agency or international body that gives full membership to the Palestinians, a measure that the United States already put in place after the UNESCO cultural agency recognized Palestine as a full member.The new policy could affect US funding for the UNs climate change forum - the UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) - which the Palestinians have joined.UN diplomats expressed concern, but stressed that details were sketchy and that it remained unclear how the administration would apply the funding cuts.French Ambassador Francois Delattre said it would be premature to comment, but added that his overall message to the new US administration was: Please, stay committed to world affairs, because we need America.During her US Senate confirmation hearing, Haley said she wanted to look at funding issues carefully but that she didnt believe in slash and burn.Guterres, who took over from Ban Ki-moon on January 1, has stressed the need to reform the United Nations to improve its ability to address conflicts and promote development.

Israel approves 153 more east Jerusalem settler homes

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JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israeli officials gave final approval Thursday to 153 east Jerusalem settler homes, the deputy mayor said, adding to a sharp increase in such projects since US President Donald Trump took office.Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Meir Turgeman told AFP the approvals by a city planning committee were among those held up due to pressure from former US president Barack Obamas administration.Turgeman said developers could start building from tomorrow.Following Trumps inauguration, Turgeman spoke of plans for some 11,000 homes in process for annexed east Jerusalem.Im going to deliver permits for thousands of homes in Jerusalem in the coming months, Turgeman said.Thursdays approvals were for the settlement neighbourhood of Gilo.Israel has announced a major settlement expansion in the days following Trumps January 20 inauguration.On Sunday, the city planning committee approved building permits for 566 settler homes in east Jerusalem.Two days later, the defence ministry announced plans for 2,500 settler homes in the occupied West Bank.Trump has pledged strong support for Israel, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government has moved quickly to take advantage.In a telling break with the Obama administration, Trumps White House has not condemned Israels settlement expansion.The announcements have deeply concerned those seeking to salvage a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.Settlements are viewed by much of the world as illegal and major stumbling blocks to peace efforts as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.Obamas administration, like much of the world, warned that settlement expansion was gradually eating away at prospects for a two-state solution.

Chile wildfires kill 10 people: president

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SANTIAGO (AFP) - Raging forest fires in central Chile have killed 10 people, displaced thousands and destroyed entire villages, the government said Thursday.Multiple blazes fueled by strong wind and drought conditions have ravaged 273,000 hectares (680,000 acres) in just over a week.The latest fatality was a fireman killed when a tree fell on his truck in the Biobio region 550 kilometers (340 miles) south of the capital Santiago, the regional government said.So far five firefighters, two policemen and three local residents have been killed while battling the blazes.Frantic locals have been joining in efforts to tackle the fire to save their homes, animals and farmland.President Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday ordered extra funds to fight what she called the countrys worst-ever forest fires.At least 4,000 people were evacuated earlier this week, the National Emergency Office said.More than 4,000 emergency workers are battling the blaze, with the help of water-dumping aircraft.More hot and windy weather in the forecast raised fears the fires will continue to spread.The fires have struck mainly in sparsely populated rural areas in the central regions of OHiggins and El Maule.Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz said the United States, Canada and various other countries have offered help.Fires are common in Chiles parched woods during the southern hemispheres summer. Most are caused by human activity.But this year was considered worse because of a drought attributed by environmentalists to climate change.

Golf: Torrid for Tiger as Rose blooms in California

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LA JOLLA (AFP) - Tiger Woods endured a rocky return at the Farmers Insurance Open in California on Thursday, posting the highest season-opening PGA Tour round of his career with a four-over-par 76.Woods, playing his first full-field PGA Tour event since returning from more than a year off with a back injury, carded a bogey-strewn opening round on the Torrey Pines Golf Clubs South Course.It was anything but a happy return to the challenging coastal layout outside San Diego where the former world number one has won no fewer than eight times in his career, most notably his epic 2008 US Open victory.Woods previous highest season-opening round was a 73 shot at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in 2015, according to PGA Tour officials.I was fighting out there all day, Woods said afterwards. The 41-year-olds round unravelled during the back nine, when three consecutive bogeys starting on the 12th were capped with a double-bogey on the 15th. A further bogey on the 17th left him facing the prospect of finishing five over before a birdie on the last -- nervelessly draining an awkward eight-foot putt -- reduced the damage.I let it slip away in the middle part of the back nine and unfortunately didnt hit very good shots, said Woods, who took encouragement from a solid if unspectacular start which left him at one under through 11.I fought my tail off out there. I fought hard. I was in a good spot to really shoot a good round today and didnt really have my best stuff early, Woods said. But I got through there and thats one of the positives obviously Im going to take out of it.The round left Woods 11 shots behind first-round leader Justin Rose of England, who posted a seven-under-par 65 earlier Thursday.Rose, the 2013 US Open champion, produced an eagle on his last hole after a blistering back nine on Torrey Pines North Course.The 36-year-old 2013 US Open champion hit three birdies and two bogeys over the front nine to go to the turn in one under. But a birdie on the North Courses par-four first -- his 10th of the day -- launched a low-scoring back nine, with an eagle three on the par-five fifth followed by back-to-back birdies. Roses momentum faltered however with a bogey on the penultimate hole before a brilliant eagle on the last resurrected his round.Great start to the tournament, said a satisfied Rose. The key to the round was having four eagle putts. I hit all the par fives in two so managed to convert two of those, added Rose, citing his barnstorming closing eagle as the highlight of the round.Obviously a very sweet way to finish. It was just a perfect five-wood into the last hole.Canadas Adam Hadwin, fresh from a second placed finish at La Quinta last weekend which included a rare 59, was a shot back after carding a six-under-par 66.The 29-year-old launched his round with a birdie on the first before adding two more on the sixth and eighth holes to reach the turn at three under. A blemish on the par-four 12th, where he missed an 11-foot putt to bogey was soon overcome with a trio of birdies on the next three holes. He snared a further birdie on the 17th with a 12-foot putt to move to six under. Im just playing some good golf right now, Hadwin said, admitting he was still smarting from his failure to close out victory in La Quinta on Sunday.A little disappointed I couldnt pull it off, but (I) went back out and kind of got started where I left off last week.Lurking behind Hadwin on five under were a group of five players, Gary Woodland, Charles Howell III, Beau Hossler, Trey Mullinax and Brad Fritsch of Canada, who all carded 67s.A group of 11 players were a further shot back.World number one Jason Day, who had gone round with Woods, was eight off the lead after posting a one-over-par 73.

Shahkot: 3 terrorists nabbed in CTD operation

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SHAHKOT (Dunya News) – According to details, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has arrested three terrorists of a banned outfit during an operation near Shahkot on Thursday.The arrested terrorists were identified as Rizwan, Wajid Ali and Armaghan.At least 1,370 kilograms of explosive material and three detonators were also recovered from the arrested terrorists.The CTD officials informed media that the terrorists were planning to carry out terrorist activity in Gujranwala. The CTD has shifted the arrested accused to some undisclosed location for further investigation.

Karachi: One killed, two injured in firing incidents

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, some unidentified persons opened fire in Steel Town area of Karachi on Thursday and killed 18-year-old Mujtaba.In Korangi No 5, two people were wounded when dacoits opened fire during a robbery attempt. A woman was among the injured. Separately, police have also found a dead body from a house in Buffer Zone area.On the other hand, renowned poetess Zaib-un-Nisa Zaibi and her daughter were looted by dacoits near Isphani Road. The dacoits who were riding on motorcycle snatched Rs 50,000 and mobile phone from them and fled away.A gang war accused Irfan Chachi was killed in an encounter with police in Lyari’s Sangulane area. Irfan Chachi belonged to Faisal Pathan group. Police also apprehended an accused after an encounter in North Nazimabad.Police also conducted operation in New Karachi Sector 11-H, Shah Latif Town and Federal B area and apprehended at least 10 accused.

Multan: Power outage adds to patients woes at Nishtar Hospital

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MULTAN (Dunya News) – A sudden power breakdown plunged the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Nishtar Hospital, Multan into darkness on Thursday, Dunya News reported. Patients and doctors in the ICU faced problems as 30-minute power breakdown shut down ventilators. Normally, generators are switched on during a power breakdown, but this did not happen.The hospital administration has blamed Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) for making the lives of patients miserable.

Right to self-determination is only solution to Kashmir issue: Raja Farooq

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LONDON (Dunya News) - Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister (PM) Raja Farooq Haider Khan while addressing a ceremony in London on Thursday said that right to self-determination is the only solution to Kashmir issue.Raja Farooq Haider Khan said that has said that for many years, Indian forces were using brute power to crush the aspirations of Kashmiris and their struggle for right to self-determination and added that Britain has a special responsibility to help solve Kashmir dispute.He said that both Pakistan and India are nuclear powers and a war in the two Asian neighbours will have serious consequences for the region as well as the whole world.

Football: Five-star Barca stroll back into Cup semis

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BARCELONA (AFP) - Barcelona eased into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey for a seventh consecutive season 6-2 on aggregate as Denis Suarez scored twice in a 5-2 win over Real Sociedad on Thursday.Already leading 1-0 from the first leg, Barca gave Sociedad a mountain to climb as Denis Suarez finished off a great team move with the only real chance of the first-half before Lionel Messi converted from the penalty spot.Juanmi and Willian Jose grabbed a pair of consolation goals for the visitors either side of Luis Suarezs third for Barca before Arda Turan and Denis Suarez rounded off the rout.The 28-time winners join Atletico Madrid, Alaves and Celta Vigo, who dumped out Real Madrid on Wednesday, in Fridays semi-final draw.Barca boss Luis Enrique took no risks with his team selection as all of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez started, whilst Gerard Pique returned at the back after being rested for the 4-0 win at Eibar on Sunday.One moment of magic lit up a first-half otherwise devoid of goalmouth action as after registering his first Barca goal at the weekend, Denis Suarezs purple patch continued.Samuel Umtiti robbed Xabi Prieto deep inside the Sociedad half and from there Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez combined to tee up his namesake for a first time finish into the far corner.Sociedad had a huge chance to get back into the tie nine minutes into the second period when Jose fired too close to Jasper Cillessen with just the Dutch international to beat from 10 yards out.And within seconds any lasting hope Sociedad had was gone as Neymar accelerated in behind the visitors defence and was cynically hacked down by Inigo Martinez with the defender lucky to escape with just a yellow card.Messi had handed responsibility from the spot to Neymar in each of Barcas last two Cup outings, but stepped up himself to register his 29th goal in just 27 games this season.Sociedad were briefly given a glimmer of hope when substitute Juanmi took advantage of a glaring gap in the centre of the Barca defence to lob Cillessen.Barca immeditately responded, though, as Messi shrugged off three Sociedad challenges to release Luis Suarez to slot his 20th goal of the season under Geronimo Rulli.The Basques once again responded as Jose bulleted home a header 17 minutes from time.Yet, that once again just kicked Barca back up a gear as Turan tapped home Aleix Vidals cross minutes after replacing Neymar before Messi teed up Denis Suarez for his second of the night.

Football: Man Utd survive Hull scare to reach League Cup final

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KINGSTON UPON HULL (AFP) - Manchester United survived a scare to reach the League Cup final after Oumar Niasses late goal earned Hull City a 2-1 victory in Thursdays semi-final second leg.Leading 2-0 from the first leg, United saw their advantage at an ice-cold KCOM Stadium halved by Tom Huddlestones 35th-minute penalty and then restored by Paul Pogbas second-half strike.Niasses goal set up a nervy finish for Jose Mourinhos men, but they survived to complete a 3-2 aggregate win that sets up a date with Southampton in the final at Wembley on February 26.It will be Uniteds first League Cup final since 2010, when they beat Aston Villa 2-1, and with Southampton having cleared Liverpool from their path, they will go into the game as favourites.Hull once again showed signs of stiffened resolve under new coach Marco Silva and could console themselves with a first win over United since a 2-0 success at the old Boothferry Park in November 1974.The club also used the occasion to show their support for Ryan Mason, recovering in hospital after fracturing his skull at Chelsea on Sunday, with T-shirts bearing his name and a minutes applause.A paltry home crowd reflected both the significant edge that Marouane Fellainis late header had given United in the first leg and ongoing dissent towards Hulls owner Assem Allam.Silvas decision to make seven changes to his starting XI, meanwhile, did not seem to indicate a desperate desire to turn the tie around.But almost from the off the cohesive football all came from Hull and it was United who looked a team of strangers, with centre-backs Phil Jones and Chris Smalling conspicuously unconvincing.Hull had the first serious attempt of the match, David de Gea boxing away a free-kick from Sam Clucas, and the United goalkeeper was soon involved again.After allowing Huddlestones up-and-under to drift over his head, Smalling had to make a last-ditch block to thwart Michael Dawson and Niasses follow-up was fisted away by De Gea.The hosts duly took the lead on the night in the 35th minute, Huddlestone planting his spot-kick low to De Geas right after Marcos Rojo was penalised for tugging Harry Maguires shirt.It took United until the 38th minute to register a shot on target, with Zlatan Ibrahimovics side-foot effort palmed behind by David Marshall.United had three penalty appeals early in the second half and while the first and third centred on Pogba and Marcus Rashford going to ground too easily, the second was more compelling.After seizing on a loose ball inside the Hull box, Smalling appeared to be pushed in the chest by Huddlestone, sending him down, but referee Jon Mess shook his head.If Huddlestone got away with one there, fortune deserted him in the 66th minute.Having tracking Rashfords run towards the byline on the United left, he managed to toe the ball away, but could only send it into the path of Pogba, who stabbed a low shot past Marshall.Their nerves eased, United threatened to move out of sight, Ibrahimovic seeing a shot blocked by Dawson after dancing past Huddlestone and Rojo clipping the bar with a header.But Niasse then headed against the bar at the other end and with five minutes remaining he gave Hull victory in the game -- if not the tie -- by tucking away David Meylers volleyed cross.

Tennis: Federer edges Wawrinka thriller to reach final

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Roger Federer edged a five-set thriller against his fellow Swiss and close friend Stan Wawrinka at the Australian Open on Thursday to become the oldest Grand Slam finalist in 43 years.The 17-time Grand Slam champion saw off the world number four 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3 in three hours and five minutes and will face either Rafael Nadal or Grigor Dimitrov in Sundays final.It will be 35-year-old Federers sixth Australian final and 28th Grand Slam decider in total, and caps a marvellous comeback after the second half of last season was ruined by a knee injury.The four-time Australian Open champion becomes the oldest man to reach a Grand Slam final since Australias Ken Rosewall (39 years 310 days) at the 1974 US Open.In an enthralling contest, Federer won the opening two sets before Wawrinka clawed back to take the semi-final into a fifth, only for Federer to prevail with a service break in the sixth game.Yes, it is real now. I can talk about playing in finals for the first time, Federer said on court.I have been dodging that bullet for the last few days now talking about the next round and the next round but this is the last one.So I will leave it all out here in Australia and (even) if I cannot walk for another five months, I will give it all I have.Wawrinka, who beat Nadal in the 2014 Australian Open final, was bidding to reach his fourth Grand Slam final and his second in Melbourne.The two Swiss jockeyed in the opening games with Federer having three break points in Wawrinkas second service game and Wawrinka getting two break points, but all were saved.Wawrinka had another break point saved in the 11th game but he paid for a netted forehand in his next service game to drop the opening set in 50 minutes.Wawrinka netted a backhand on break point in the sixth game of the second set and angrily smashed his smash in reaction, receiving a code violation warning from the chair umpire.The match turned quickly for Wawrinka as Federer raced to a two sets lead after holding three set points.Wawrinka left the court for a medical timeout and returned to the court with tape around his right knee.But Wawrinka hit back with two breaks to take the third set in just 26 minutes as Federer became loose, giving his Swiss friend the chance to play his way back into the contest.Wawrinka broke again in the opening game of the fourth set with a beautiful backhand return winner, but Federer broke straight back.Wawrinka earned three break points in the ninth game with some splendid groundstrokes and on his third break point he rifled a forehand cross-court winner to break, and then served out for a fifth set.But Wawrinka cracked with a poor service game and a double-fault on double break point gave Federer a crucial 4-2 advantage.Federer held his two remaining service games to win on the first of his three match points.

Tennis: Serena, Venus set up dream Aussie final

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Unstoppable Serena Williams zeroed in on a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title Thursday by setting up an Australian Open final against her older sister Venus, as the siblings dream came true.The ruthless world number two proved one step too far for unseeded Croat Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, whose fairytale tournament was finally ended in a crushing 6-2, 6-1 defeat in just 50 minutes.In swatting aside the 34-year-old, in their first meeting since 1998, Serena, 35, stayed on track for a seventh Australian title which would take her past Steffi Grafs Open-era record of 22 major wins.She has refused to talk about the possibility of finally surpassing the German, but now has a golden chance of further cementing her place in history.Winning the title would also mean a return to world number one, snatching the title back after Angelique Kerber deposed her last year.Only Venus stands in the way after the elder Williams rolled back the years to beat fellow American Coco Vandeweghe 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-3 in the other semi-final.It opened another chapter in their eventful family history as they meet for their ninth Grand Slam final on Saturday, eight years after the last at Wimbledon in 2009. Serena won that one and holds a 6-2 advantage.I didnt watch (Venus). Obviously I was really proud, shes an inspiration, my big sister, said Serena. Shes my world, my life, she means everything to me. I couldnt be happier for us both to be in the final. Its the biggest dream come true for us.Williams added that seeing Venus reach the final had put her under extra pressure -- not that it showed.It felt really good because I felt like it was in my hands to force this Williams final, she said. Believe it or not, I was feeling a little bit of pressure about that, but it felt really good to get that win.She also paid tribute to Lucic-Baroni, a former teenage prodigy when the Williams sisters were emerging in the 1990s before her career was derailed by personal problems.Mirjana is an inspiration, she deserves all the credit today. To get this far, after everything she has gone through, that just inspires me.Despite her serve not being up to scratch in Melbourne until now, Williams has so many other weapons in her armoury that her opponents have been unable to cope. Lucic-Baroni was no different.The Croats left thigh was again heavily strapped and the problem put her at an immediate disadvantage, restricting her movement against a player known for her pounding forehand winners.It was one-way traffic from start to finish, as Serena asserted her authority to move into her 29th Grand Slam final. Her sister was equally impressive against the dangerous Vendeweghe.She was calm and focused, drawing on her vast experience to tame her supremely confident opponent, picking her shots well and conserving energy to bounce back after losing a first set tiebreaker.In making the decider, she becomes the Australian Opens oldest finalist in the Open era.It is also her first final at a major since Wimbledon in 2009 -- which was her 14th, winning seven and losing seven so far.At the end of the day, my main goal will be to execute my game, she said of the showdown with Serena.Ive had to do that in the first round. I had to do it in this round. In the final, too. If I can achieve that, thats more or less what Ill be thinking of, not necessarily that its the final.While trying to treat it as just another match, Venus also knows it will be special as the sisters write another chapter in the history books.Its like I know that it wont be easy. This opponent is your sister, and shes super-awesome. Its wonderful.

Tennis: Bulgarian blockade as Nadal eyes Federer final

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Rafael Nadal will try to set up a hugely anticipated Australian Open final with his old rival Roger Federer when he plays the in-form Grigor Dimitrov in the semis on Friday.Few gave injury-hit thirty-somethings Nadal and Federer any chance pre-tournament but the Swiss maestro is already into Sundays title match and his long-time sparring partner is keen to follow.The early defeats of top seeds Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic opened the door to other challengers and Federer and Nadal have shown theyre still at the front of the queue.Nadal, 30, has looked fit and aggressive, if not fully back to his best, in beating third seed Milos Raonic, Gael Monfils and Alexander Zverev in his last three matches.All of them are top players. So thats very important for me because that means that I am competitive and playing well. I worked hard to try to make that happen, Nadal said.The 14-time Grand Slam-winner, now ranked ninth, is aiming for his first major final since in two-and-a-half years after returning from an injury-wrecked 2016.But Bulgarias Dimitrov, once dubbed Baby Fed for his similarity to Federer, poses an interesting test as he is in the form of his life and playing with new focus and determination.Dimitrov has beaten five top-20 players in a 10-match winning streak this year, equalling the best of his career, which includes his victory this month in Brisbane.Hes a player that has an unbelievable talent, unbelievable potential. Hes started the season playing unbelievable, Nadal said.Its going to be a very tough match for me. I hope for him, too. I have to play my best because hes playing with high confidence.The 2009 winner is 7-1 in his matches with 15th seed Dimitrov, including a four-set quarter-final win at the Australian Open three years ago.Another salient statistic is that Nadal is 66-8 against players with one-handed backhands at Slams.The last time the Bulgarian won 10 straight matches was back in 2014, when he took the title at Queens and reached the last four at Wimbledon.I feel like I have all the tools to go further and my job isnt over yet, Dimitrov said. Im looking forward to my match. I think Im prepared. I think Im ready to go the distance. I dont shy away from that. Im confident enough to say that as I feel good physically, and overall on the court.
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