Monday 9 January 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Five men to watch at the Australian Open

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MELBOURNE (AFP) – Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will be big favourites for the Australian Open when it begins in Melbourne on Monday. Here are five players who might challenge the world’s top two.Milos RaonicThe tall, serious Canadian ended 2016 as world number three as he continued his steady rise up the rankings, and it is surely only a matter of time before he wins a Grand Slam. Raonic, 26, laid down a marker for the season at last year’s Australian Open when he ousted Stan Wawrinka before falling to Andy Murray in a thrilling five-set semi-final in which he was hampered by injury. Six months later, he reached his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon before losing to Murray again. Raonic rounded off the year with a last-four spot at the ATP World Tour Finals in London and he heads into 2017 with a new coach, former Wimbledon winner Richard Krajicek.Stan WawrinkaThe Stanimal is riding high after winning his third major at the US Open and the powerful Swiss has the tools to triumph in Melbourne, as he memorably proved in 2014. Wawrinka has forced his way into tennis’s upper echelons in the past three seasons but now aged 31 faces the challenge of staying there -- and even improving -- as a group of younger players matures. The world number four with the brutal, one-handed backhand appears to enjoy the conditions at Melbourne Park, and it was a surprise when he lost to Raonic in the last 16 a year ago.Roger FedererThe superlative Swiss has lost none of his popularity but, at 35, only his most ardent fans would rate him as a leading contender for the Australian Open, where he will be making his 69th Grand Slam appearance. Federer is feeling his way back after a six-month injury lay-off, the longest of his career, which he ended with a mixed performance at the Hopman Cup team tournament in Perth last week. Federer does not seem to be contemplating retirement, however, and he remains stubbornly optimistic of a last hurrah to add to his record 17 Grand Slam titles. Federer’s ranking has dropped to 17 after his long absence, meaning he faces a tougher draw.Rafael NadalLike Federer, Nadal’s aura and results are on the wane and it has been more than two years since he last won a major, at his favoured French Open in 2014. The 30-year-old Spaniard didn’t make it to any of the Grand Slam quarter-finals last season, and his tally of two tournament wins was his lowest in 12 years as he dropped to ninth in the world. Nadal has won only one of his 14 major titles at the Australian Open, when he beat a tearful Federer in an epic, five-set final in 2009. He will certainly look to improve on 2016, when he was sent packing by fellow Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco in the first round.Alexander ZverevWawrinka dubbed Zverev the future of tennis after losing to the German in last year’s St Petersburg final, and it is a label that seems apt for the 6ft 6in (1.98 metre) 19-year-old. Nicknamed Sascha, he is already ranked 24th, has a string of scalps to his name including two victories over Federer, most recently at the Hopman Cup. What’s missing so far is a deep run at a Grand Slam tournament, and Zverev was unlucky to come up against Murray in the first round in Melbourne last year. This time around, he will be under close scrutiny for signs that he is making good on his vast potential.

Military courts' extension: NA parliamentary parties' to meet today

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – A meeting of parliamentary parties in the National Assembly will be held today (Tuesday) in Islamabad to discuss the issue of military courts’ extension, Dunya News reported.The meeting of the parliamentary parties in the National Assembly will be presided over by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.Opposition has also called a meeting of the opposition parties to have a joint stance. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also decided to attend the session.PTI has also contacted the other political parties of the opposition in this regard. PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi will meet Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership in Opposition Leader’s chamber.He said that a joint stance will be taken after consultation with all the other opposition parties.Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid’s (PML-Q) Tariq Bashir Cheema has also agreed with the idea. Jamaat Islami chief Sirajul Haq and Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Farooq Sattar have also been contacted.

Karachi: Two gang war accused apprehended

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Crackdown against criminal elements in Karachi continues as intelligence agencies apprehended two gang war accused from Karachi’s Lyari area on Monday, Dunya News reported.According to details, intelligence agencies conducted a raid in Eido Lane area of Lyari in Karachi and arrested two gang war accused. Sources said that the arrested accused were members of Uzair Baloch group.Sources further informed that the arrested accused were wanted in several cases of extortion and target killing.

Klopp demands better performance from Liverpool in League Cup

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SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp has urged Liverpool to make amends for their FA Cup flop by delivering a dominant display in Wednesdays League Cup semi-final first leg against Southampton.Klopp fielded Liverpools youngest ever line-up against Plymouth in the FA Cup third round on Sunday and the raw rookies failed to impress as the fourth-tier minnows easily held on for a goalless draw at Anfield.Liverpool can still advance in the FA Cup when they face Plymouth in a replay, but that is on the back burner for now as the Reds focus on their other road to Wembley.After losing to Manchester City on penalties in last seasons League Cup final, Liverpool are one step away from a return to Wembley and Klopp will send out a stronger line-up at St Marys as he looks to get his side back on track.Aware of accusations that he and his players were guilty of complacency against Plymouth, the Liverpool manager said: The question I asked this morning in the dressing room was Could we have done better? 100 per cent yes with this line-up.I dont expect perfection but I have high expectations because I see them every day in training and I was convinced we could play really well.I have absolutely no problem with criticism but it was not about underestimating an opponent.Liverpool are hoping to add to their record haul of eight League Cup trophies by winning the competition for the first time since 2012.That would also be a first piece of major silverware for Klopp, who arrived on Merseyside in October 2015, after Liverpools defeats in the League Cup and Europa League finals last term.But before they start to prepare a space in the Anfield trophy cabinet, Liverpool have to beat Southampton and then Manchester United or Hull, who meet in the other semi.There is no more pressure on us. It is an opportunity. It is always a new day, said Klopp, who welcomes back Brazil playmaker Philippe Coutinho after an ankle injury.I said to the lads last year it would not be the last final they would be involved in and this is the first chance to prove this.Although Klopps side have lost and drawn on their last two visits to St Marys, they thrashed Southampton 6-1 at the same venue in the League Cup quarter-finals last season.And Liverpools hopes of advancing to Wembley will be aided by the absence of Southampton defender Jose Fonte.Southampton manager Claude Puel has confirmed Fonte will not be part of his squad after the club captain handed in a transfer request amid reports of possible bids from Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.Fonte was absent for Saturdays FA Cup draw against Norwich and Puel has decided to leave him out again.Jose wont participate for this game. We will see for the next game. It is important to keep stability, said Puel, whose club havent reached the League Cup final since a 1979 defeat against Nottingham Forest.We do not know the future of Jose, it is a difficult situation in the market. I respect Jose, it is not an easy situation for the staff or players. It is difficult.It is an opportunity also for Jose to view different opportunities and it is important to respect this.For me, it is important to keep stability in defence first, and second, we will see what the situation of Jose in this market is.

PSL planning an alternate draft if foreign players back out

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KARACHI (Daily Dunya) - Pakistan Super League (PSL) organisers are planning another drafting ceremony by the end of February, in case foreigner players refuse to come to Pakistan.PSL final would be played on 9 March in Lahore but organisers already have solution if players back out due to security. According to PSL spokesperson, teams would be able to play alternate players.Foreigner players would be assured of fool proof security and bullet proof buses were arranged whereas comfortable flights from UAE to Lahore were also arranged.On the other hand FICA International Association of players said that lives of players would be on risk in Pakistan. Security reports would also be seen before PSL final.

Iraq eyes recapture of east Mosul within days

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BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqi forces will retake east Mosul from the jihadists within days, a top commander said Monday, after his fighters in the city reached the Tigris River for the first time.Baghdads forces have retaken a series of areas in eastern Mosul since launching an operation to recapture the city from the Islamic State group on October 17, but the west remains under IS control.East Mosul will be retaken within a few days, God willing, Staff Lieutenant General Abdulghani al-Assadi, a top commander in Iraqs elite Counter-Terrorism Service, told AFP.Assadis remarks came a day after officials said Iraqi forces in Mosul had reached the eastern side of a bridge across the Tigris River, which divides the city, for the first time during the operation.Assadi said that the bridge fell tactically, though Iraqi forces were still some 150 metres (yards) away.The general also said that our units... are close to encircling Mosul University, whose sprawling campus is located east of the Tigris.IS overran Mosul and swathes of other territory north and west of Baghdad in 2014, sweeping aside security forces that were ill-prepared to face the assault.Tens of thousands of Iraqi forces launched an offensive on October 17 to retake Mosul, the last major urban centre in Iraq still controlled by the group that seized around a third of the country in 2014.Several areas around the city, Iraqs second largest, were swiftly reconquered, but the elite forces that pushed into the streets of Mosul itself have faced stiffer than expected resistance.In late December, the federal advance inside the city had slowed to a crawl but a fresh coordination effort between CTS and other forces gave fresh impetus to the operation.Iraqi forces, backed by increased support from the US-led coalition that has carried out the bulk of air strikes against IS and deployed military advisers on the ground, made rapid progress since the start of 2017.Its pretty excellent progress that theyve made over the last couple of weeks, since they restarted the operation on the 29th of December, coalition spokesman Colonel John Dorrian said.They have synchronised three axes of advance... and thats more than the enemy can solve, he said, referring to elite interior ministry and other forces also operating inside Mosul.Dorrian said that CTSs foray to the Tigris had more than just symbolic value for the 12-week-old operation to retake Mosul.The Tigris -- thats a natural landmark and a barrier that the enemy would have to navigate to either escape or reinforce, he said.Its important because it stops the enemy from being able to resupply, Dorrian said.It also cuts off avenues of escape for the remaining enemy... it doesnt make it impossible but it makes it very difficult.Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had promised that his forces would rid the country of IS by the end of 2016 but he admitted a few days ago that it could still take several more months.Beyond the timetable, exactly which troops among the myriad forces involved in the operation retake the city from IS will have a major impact on the future of Mosul and relations between Iraq and its neighbours.Two days after landmark talks with his Turkish counterpart aimed at patching up frosty relations, Abadi on Monday met Jordanian Prime Minister Hani Mulki in Baghdad.

Assad rules out truce in Syria's Wadi Barada

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DAMASCUS (AFP) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has ruled out a truce with rebels in an area near Damascus which supplies the capital with its water needs, in an interview aired Monday.Millions of people have been without water for weeks after fighting damaged key infrastructure in the Wadi Barada region that is the main water source for Damascus.The government says the jihadist Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front, is present in Wadi Barada, and blames rebels there for cutting water to Damascus since December 22.The role of the Syrian Army is to liberate that area in order to prevent those terrorists from using that water in order to suffocate the capital, Assad told French media.Assads forces have been battling rebels in Wadi Barada for weeks and the fighting has continued despite the start on December 30 of a nationwide ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey.Assad said the ceasefire was being breached on a daily basis and mainly in Damascus because the terrorists occupy the main source of water in Wadi Barada.He said more than five million civilians have been deprived of water for the last three weeks as a result of the fighting. The United Nations says 5.5 million people in and around Damascus are without water.Assad said that Fateh al-Sham is occupying the Wadi Barada region, 15 kilometres (10 miles) northwest of the capital.But rebels deny that the jihadists are in the area and say the mains supply was severed after government strikes hit pumping facilities in the area.Assad also insisted that the ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey does not include Fateh al-Sham or its formidable rival, the Islamic State group.His comments aired by French media came as fighting raged on several fronts in the Wadi Barada region on Monday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.The Britain-based monitoring group said regime forces backed by fighters from Lebanons Shiite militant movement Hamas battled rebels and Fateh al-Sham jihadists.On Saturday maintenance teams attempted to reach the Wadi Barada region to begin working on restoring water supplies for Damascus but were forces back by sniper fire, state media said.On Sunday, two civilians were killed by regime fire and the area was hit by a dozen regime air raids, the Observatory said.

Palestinian leader writes to Trump opposing embassy move

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RAMALLAH (AFP) - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has written to US President-elect Donald Trump urging him not to move the American embassy to Jerusalem, official Palestinian media said on Monday.The Palestinian news agency Wafa did not say when the letter was sent but said it aimed to explain the risks of moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.Abbas warned the move would have a disastrous impact on the peace process, on the two-state solution and on the stability and security of the entire region, Wafa said.Trump has said he plans to relocate the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in a controversial move bitterly opposed by Palestinians as a unilateral action while the status of the city remains contested.Israel supports the move and has encouraged previous presidents to take similar steps to no avail.Abbas also sent letters to other world powers including Russia, China and the European Union, calling on them to spare no effort to prevent the United States from making the move, Wafa said.The Palestinians regard Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, while Israel proclaims the entire city as its undivided capital.The United States and most UN member states do not recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital, and the citys status is one of the thorniest issues of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.Trump spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway last month told a US radio channel moving the embassy was a very big priority for the president-elect.Trump has also nominated David Friedman, a supporter of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, as his ambassador to the Jewish state.In a Trump transition team statement last month, Friedman said he wanted to work for peace and looked forward to doing this from the US embassy in Israels eternal capital, Jerusalem.Israel captured east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967 and subsequently annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.

New UN chief to make first address to Security Council

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday will deliver his first address to the Security Council since taking office, making the case for a new, more assertive diplomacy backed by world powers.Guterres took over from Ban Ki-moon on January 1 with a pledge to shake up the world body and boost efforts to tackle global crises -- from the carnage in Syria to the bloodshed in South Sudan.The former prime minister of Portugal and UN refugee chief faces a deeply divided Security Council which has been unable to take decisive action to end the war in Syria, now in its sixth year.The greatest shortcoming of the international community today is its failure to prevent conflict and maintain global security, Guterres wrote in an op-ed published in the US magazine Newsweek on Monday.Where wars are already raging, we need mediation, arbitration and creative diplomacy backed by all countries with influence, he added.The UN chiefs first formal appearance at the council will be during a debate on conflict prevention led by Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom, whose country holds the council presidency this month.At least nine of the 15 council members will be represented at the ministerial level to hear Guterres lay out his action plan as the worlds diplomat-in-chief.Among the expected changes is a more hands-on approach from the new secretary general, in what is seen as a shift from Ban who left most of the mediation to his special envoys.Complicating Guterres plan to revitalize UN diplomacy however is the question mark hanging over the foreign policy of the new US administration under President-elect Donald Trump.Guterres spoke with Trump by phone last week and the conversation was described by a UN spokesman as very positive after the president-elect dismissed the world body as just a club for people to get together and have a good time.After the council voted to demand an end to Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories, Trump warned as to the UN, things will be different after Jan. 20th when he takes over at the White House.In his first days in office, Guterres has stressed the need to reform the United Nations, a message that could win over the new leadership in Washington.In particular, he has ordered a review of the UN response to sexual abuse by peacekeepers -- a move that will likely please US Republicans who complain loudly about US funding of UN missions.Guterres next week makes his first venture overseas as UN chief, heading to Geneva to shore up Cyprus peace talks and to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose support for the United Nations has been steadily growing. One of the leading contributors of peacekeeping troops, China is also the UNs third largest financial backer.

22,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar to Bangladesh in one week: UN

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YANGON (AFP) - At least 65,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar -- a third of them over the past week -- since the army launched a crackdown in the north of Rakhine state, the UN said Monday.The figure marks a sharp escalation in the numbers fleeing a military campaign which rights groups say has been marred by abuses so severe they could amount to crimes against humanity.They also come the same day the UNs human rights envoy for Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, began a 12-day visit to probe violence in the countrys borderlands that will take her to the army-controlled area.Over the past week, 22,000 new arrivals were reported to have crossed the border from Rakhine state, the UNs relief agency said in its weekly report.As of 5 January, an estimated 65,000 people are residing in registered camps, makeshift settlements and host communities in Coxs Bazaar in southern Bangladesh, said the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.The exodus of Rohingya from northern Rakhine began after Myanmars army launched clearance operations while searching for insurgents behind deadly raids on police border posts three months ago.Escapees from the persecuted Muslim minority in Bangladesh have given harrowing accounts of security forces committing mass rape, murder and arson. The stories have cast a pall over the young government of Aung San Suu Kyi, with mainly Muslim Malaysia being especially critical. Myanmars government has said the claims of abuse are fabricated and launched a special commission to investigate the allegations.Last week it presented its interim report denying accusations of genocide and religious persecution and saying there was insufficient evidence that troops had been committing rape.That judgement came days after a video emerged showing police beating Rohingya civilians, something the government said was an isolated incident after the officers were arrested. On Monday the UNs Lee began her own probe with a visit to Kachin state, where thousands have been displaced by fighting between ethnic rebels and the army. Lee, who has faced threats and demonstrations on previous visits over her comments on Myanmars treatment of the Rohingya, is due to visit Rakhine before leaving on January 20. Hardline Buddhist monk Wirathu caused outrage when he called her a whore in our country for criticising controversial legislation considered discriminatory to women and minorities.

Russia 'tired' of 'amateurish' US hacking claims: Kremlin

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MOSCOW (AFP) - The Kremlin on Monday slammed a hacking report by US intelligence as baseless and amateurish, saying Moscow is growing tired of denying the Russian governments involvement in US election meddling.These are baseless allegations substantiated with nothing, done on a rather amateurish, emotional level that is hardly worthy of professional work of truly world class security services, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. US intelligence agencies on Friday released a report saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered a campaign of hacking and media manipulation to upend the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.The Kremlins comments were the first official reaction by Moscow to the public report, which was half the length of the classified version presented to President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump.We still dont know what data is really being used by those who present such unfounded accusations, Peskov said.We are still categorically denying any implication of Moscow and any accusations that officials or official government agencies have anything to do with hacking attacks.We are growing rather tired of these accusations. It is becoming a full on witch hunt, Peskov said, echoing Trumps claim ahead of the briefing by spy chiefs Friday that the hacking revelations were a political witch hunt aimed at discrediting him.

Tube strike hits millions of Londoners

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LONDON (AFP) - Millions of Londoners endured a chaotic start to the week on Monday after a strike shut down most of the Underground network, including many city centre stations.Clapham Junction, a major transport hub in the south of the capital, had to be evacuated in the morning rush hour due to overcrowding as passengers were forced onto packed overland trains to get to work.Ten of the 11 Tube lines were disrupted by the 24-hour strike by members of the RMT union, who walked out on Sunday evening in a dispute over job cuts and staffing levels.Squeezed into packed train carriages, or waiting for hours for buses in the cold, dark and damp January morning, many commuters expressed their frustration at the disruption.Its a real pain, said finance worker Ross Kemp, waiting for a bus at Kings Cross station, adding that he had limited sympathy for the striking Tube workers.Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the action as unnecessary, saying he was already addressing concerns that job cuts had left many Tube stations dangerously understaffed.I accept the argument that we need more staff on the London Underground, said the mayor, who took office in May last year, in an interview with BBC radio.Already weve created 200 new posts and want to carry on talking if the trade unions are unhappy. Why strike? Why not resolve these things amicably?Mick Cash, the leader of the RMT, said he was prepared to talk further but warned that the loss of more than 830 jobs, many due to ticket office closures, had left the network struggling.Five million people a day use the Tube and its creaking at the seams, he told AFP.There arent enough staff to make sure it runs safely. If we dont do something theres going to be something drastic go wrong.He warned this was a particular problem as London faced a heightened security threat, and insisted many passengers supported the action.The Tube users know that theres problems on the network, they see how overcrowded it is, he said.Extra buses were laid on to replace some Tube services, but there were long queues and heavy traffic meant many passengers found it quicker to walk.Fiona Stockwell, a commuter at Kings Cross, said she left home early to beat the rush but was not really pleased about it.She said the closure of staffed ticket offices in Tube stations was inevitable given that most people now used contactless tickets. We have to adapt to new technology, she said.London Underground is the worlds oldest subway network, having opened in 1863, and records 1.34 billion journeys every year.Further disruption is expected this week as workers on the Southern rail service, which runs between London and the southern English coast, strike on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.It is the third strike on Southern since the beginning of December, as unions step up their opposition to plans to downgrade the role of the conductor on trains.

Trump names son-in-law as senior presidential advisor

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NEW YORK (AFP) - US President-elect Donald Trump announced Monday that his son-in-law Jared Kushner, a property developer and publisher, will serve as senior White House advisor, flouting myriad legal and ethical concerns.The incoming Republican, who has never previously held elected office, said Kushner, who also has no political experience outside his father-in-laws campaign, would serve as senior advisor to the president.Kushner, whom Forbes estimates is worth $1.8 billion together with his parents and adult brother, will forego his salary while serving in the administration, said a statement from the transition team.The 35-year-old will work closely with White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and chief strategist Steve Bannon to execute Trumps agenda, it added.Jared has been a tremendous asset and trusted advisor throughout the campaign and transition and I am proud to have him in a key leadership role in my administration, Trump announced.He has been incredibly successful, in both business and now politics. He will be an invaluable member of my team as I set and execute an ambitious agenda, putting the American people first, he added.Priebus called Kushner a visionary with a rare ability to communicate with and assemble broad coalitions of support and said his open mind, adaptability and keen intellect would be a great asset to the team.Kushner welcomed the appointment as an honor and said he was humbled by the opportunity to serve.

Karachi: Two dacoits escape from police station

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Two dacoits escaped from Sharifabad Police Station on Monday during interrogation, Dunya News reported. Sources said that two officers of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), Jameel Sidiqui and Taimuriya Nazar Abbas were suspended for negligence.A case has also been registered against two police officials, Rahan and Salman after the dacoits fled from the Sharifabad Police Station.Police sources informed that SIU officer Taimuriya Nazar Abbas had handed over the accused to Special Investigation Unit of Sharifabad Police Station to avoid a magistrate’s raid.

Football: Ozil links Arsenal future to coach Wenger

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BERLIN (AFP) - Arsenals German international Mesut Ozil says he is waiting to learn the fate of manager Arsene Wenger before agreeing to sign a new contract with the London club.Wengers contract at Arsenal expires at the end of the season and Ozils decision hinges on whether it is renewed or not, he told German football magazine Kicker.The club know that I am here above all because of Arsene Wenger, who came to get me and who has placed his trust in me. The club also know that I want to have clarity first of all about what the manager is going to do, he said.Ozils contract has 18 months left to run and he said he is ready to re-sign, depending on Wengers fate.I am very happy playing for Arsenal and I feel very very good here. I told the club I am ready to sign extend my contract. The supporters want me here. So now it is up to the club.Arsenal, fifth in the table behind leaders Chelsea, are still in with a chance of winning the title, he insisted.A year ago at this stage we were top and many people thought we would be champions. Now Chelsea are in that position ... But I am convinced we can still achieve our goal of being top, he said.Ozil, 28, who has been out because of ill health for the last three Arsenal games, said the absence of a winter break in English football meant Premier League players never recovered the sharpness they had at the start of the season.No Premier League player can claim he is as sharp as at the start of the season, he said.As a player you need a break, not only physically but mentally too.
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