Tuesday 13 June 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Nadal out of Queen's to rest for Wimbledon

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LONDON (AFP) - Rafael Nadal confirmed Tuesday he has pulled out of next weeks Aegon Championships at Queens in order to rest and prepare for Wimbledon.The 31-year-old Spaniard has had a hugely successful clay season, claiming a record 10th French Open crown on Sunday to earn a 15th Grand Slam title.I am very sorry to say that I am not going to be able play Queens next week, the world number two said on his Facebook page.I am sad to make this decision because I love Queens, I won the tournament in 2008 and every time I reached the Wimbledon final it was after playing Queens.I was hoping to take some days off and then be ready, but at 31, and after a long clay court season with all of the emotions of Roland Garros, and after speaking to my team and doctors, I have decided my body needs to rest if I am going to be ready to play Wimbledon.Sorry to all the great fans in Britain and to the tournament organisers.I hope to see you at Queens next year.Nadal won clay titles this season in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid in addition to Roland Garros.He won Queens in 2008 before going on to lift his first Wimbledon title, again taking the Grand Slam trophy at the All England Club in 2010. Wimbledon begins on July 3.Unfortunately, Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Aegon Championships at Queens, organisers confirmed on Twitter.The Queens tournament will be headlined by world number one and defending champion Andy Murray, with US Open champion Stan Wawrinka, runner-up to Nadal in Paris, also competing as the second seed.

Football: Late blows jolt China, Qatar shock South Korea

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KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Ahmad Al Salihs late strike dealt a body blow to Chinas faltering quest to reach a second World Cup on Tuesday, as blockaded Qatar kept their slimmest of hopes alive with a shock 3-2 victory over South Korea.Marcello Lippis China were within reach of only their second win in Group A when Al Salih curled home a free-kick in injury time to leave the scores at 2-2 in their Group A match.With only two games left, China face the unlikely prospect of making up six points and four goals in goal-difference to snatch third place and a play-off spot in Group A.Japan were also stunned by a late equaliser from Iraq as they drew 1-1 and failed to establish a cushion from their rivals Saudi Arabia and Australia at the top of Group B.It was Qatar, however, who were in the spotlight on Tuesday as they took on World Cup regulars South Korea in Doha in the wake of the Arabian Gulfs most serious political crisis in years following the diplomatic and economic blockade imposed on the country by neighbours Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain besides Egypt over alleged links to terrorism.The Qataris, however, appeared calm with Hassan Al Haydoss double powering them to only their second win in eight matches that took their tally to seven points giving them an outside chance of finishing third in their group.Only the top two teams from each of Group A and B qualify automatically for next years World Cup in Russia, while the third-placed sides go into a play-off series.Al Haydos put Qatar ahead with a brilliant free-kick in the 25th minute and then helped the 2022 hosts consolidate with a fine pass that saw Akram Afif find the net in the 52nd with a right-footed shot from the right side of the box.The Koreans, who enjoyed a whopping 63 percent of the possession, stormed back into the game with goals from Ki Sung-yeung and Hwang Hee-chang in the 62nd and 70th minutes but Qatar had the last laugh when Al Haydos recorded his second goal off an assist from Rodrigo Tabata just four minutes later.Earlier in the day, Japan seemed to be cruising to victory in neutral Tehran after Yuya Osakos first-half goal, before the 164cm (5ft 4in) Mahdi Kamil poached the equaliser for Iraq on 73 minutes.Japan lie just one point ahead of both Saudi Arabia and Australia, their final two opponents in what is shaping up to be a blockbuster finish to Group B.In a night of late equalisers, the United Arab Emirates were the beneficiaries of a stoppage-time strike which at least postponed their elimination.The UAE were seconds from dropping out of the running for Russia 2018 when Ali Mabkhout scored from close range in the third minute of added time.It means UAE are mathematically capable of securing third place in Group B, but like China they need big wins in their last two games and for other results to go their way.China have only ever reached one World Cup, in 2002, but their national and domestic set-up has been energised by official proclamations about hosting and winning the tournament.Led by Lippi, who coached Italy to victory in the 2006 World Cup, China recovered from Mahmoud Al Mawass first-half penalty through Gao Lins spot-kick and Wu Xis volley.But Salih, who had complained bitterly that Chinas penalty was soft, stepped up in injury time to place his free kick past goalkeeper Zeng Cheng and earn a point for Syria.Japan remain well placed in Group A but they will be kicking themselves after letting victory slip through their fingers against Iraq.Japan were looking comfortable with 17 minutes left but after Alaa Abdul Zahras slalom run into the box the ball bounced to Kamil, who gratefully slammed it home.So far, Iran are the only Asian side to confirm their place in Russia.

Football: France edge thrilling friendly against England

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PARIS (AFP) - Ousmane Dembele capped a thrilling performance with the deciding goal as 10-man France beat England 3-2 in a friendly in Paris on Tuesday in which the video assistant referee played a central role.Captain Harry Kane had earlier scored twice for the visitors at the Stade de France, including from a penalty early in the second half.That came after the Italian referee gave a spot-kick for a foul on Dele Alli and the video assistant -- being trialled here -- ruled that Raphael Varane deserved a straight red card.The decision was a controversial one, coming after FIFA tweaked the rules last year to reduce cases of players being sent off for denying clear goal-scoring opportunities, unless the offence is deliberate.Varanes team-mates and the French fans did not agree with the call, which came after Samuel Umtiti and Djibril Sidibe had scored to cancel out Kanes early opener.But Frances recovery when a man down was a source of disappointment for England manager Gareth Southgate.We should have got a result. In the space of 90 minutes we saw the things that we are very good at -- we looked a threat and created a lot of openings -- and equally we saw what we have to do better, he said.Meanwhile, France coach Didier Deschamps was delighted to see his side get back to winning ways after a World Cup qualifying defeat in Sweden.It is always good to finish with a victory, especially after a defeat. We were down to 10 men, so hats off to the players, because that is a great England team, he told TF1.It was a fine end-of-season match, played out in front of French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May and preceded by an emotional tribute to the victims of recent terror attacks in England.The French fans in the crowd of almost 80,000 joined in with the English anthem God Save the Queen and a minutes silence was observed to honour the victims of attacks in Manchester and London over the last month.England were back in France for the first time since their disastrous Euro 2016 campaign, when they were humiliated by Iceland in the last 16.Southgate made six changes to his line-up following the 2-2 World Cup qualifying draw in Scotland, while Kane again wore the captains armband.The Tottenham Hotspur striker, the top scorer in the Premier League last season, netted a stoppage-time equaliser at Hampden Park and he gave the visitors the lead in the ninth minute here, tapping in after Raheem Sterlings back-heel had set up Ryan Bertrand to deliver a low cross from the left.Olivier Giroud had an effort ruled out for offside and France were forced into an early change -- the first of many substitutions -- as Lucas Digne replaced the injured Benjamin Mendy.The Euro 2016 runners-up deserved their equaliser when it came midway through the first half as Barcelona defender Umtiti followed in to score after Tom Heaton had saved from Girouds header.Burnley goalkeeper Heaton was preferred in goal to under-fire Joe Hart and he underlined his credentials with a fine stop to deny Kylian Mbappe, but he was beaten again two minutes before the interval.Dembele did brilliantly to create the opportunity for a shot that was saved by Heaton but Monaco full-back Sidibe converted the rebound.Many members of the crowd were still returning to their seats after the interval when referee Davide Massa pointed to the spot when Varane clipped Alli in the area.Varane was incredulous when he was sent off following the video assistants intervention, and Kane then beat his Spurs colleague Hugo Lloris from 12 yards, but France had the last laugh.Mbappe hit the bar before, with 12 minutes left, he set up Borussia Dortmund starlet Dembele to net the winner from a low finish past substitute goalkeeper Jack Butland.

US 'not winning' in Afghanistan: Pentagon chief

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Pentagon chief Jim Mattis told exasperated lawmakers Tuesday that America still is not winning in Afghanistan, as US military commanders push for additional troops to help stabilize the countrys security crisis.Mattiss latest assessment comes nearly 16 years after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan and amid a war that continues to claim the lives of US troops each year -- and those of thousands of local forces and civilians.The Taliban had a good year last year, they are trying to have a good one this year, Mattis told the Senate Armed Services Committee at a hearing about the Pentagons budget.Right now I believe the enemy is surging.US military commanders, who saw fragile security gains eroded under Obama-era troop draw-downs, have been pushing for a new strategy that could see thousands of additional soldiers deploy to Afghanistan to help train and advise beleaguered Afghan partners.Media reports have said Mattis is considering asking for 3,000 to 5,000 additional US and NATO troops, but the defense chief has said little on the matter.In February, General John Nicholson, who commands NATO forces in Afghanistan, warned that he needs a few thousand more troops to reverse what he called a stalemate.Despite months of expectation that a new Afghanistan strategy announcement is imminent, Mattis said this would not be ready before mid-July.Republican Senator John McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, voiced his palpable frustration.Were now six months into this administration, we still havent got a strategy for Afghanistan, McCain said, noting it was hard to get behind an Afghanistan budget request without knowing what the plan is.We know what the strategy was for the last eight years: Dont lose. That hasnt worked.Mattis acknowledged the reality on the ground.We are not winning in Afghanistan right now. We will correct this as soon as possible, he said.The defense chief, who was a Marine combat commander in Afghanistan at the start of the war, stressed America must not walk away from the country and suggested a long-term residual US force needs to remain to help the Afghan army maintain a baseline of security.Its going to be an era of frequent skirmishing and its going to require a change in our approach from the last several years if were to get it to that position, Mattis said.The Afghan conflict is the longest in American history, with US-led NATO troops at war there since 2001, after the ousting of the Taliban regime just months after the September 11 terror attacks in the United States.The ongoing security crisis has seen not just the Taliban gain ground, but also the emergence of other groups such as a local Islamic State affiliate.On Saturday, the Taliban claimed responsibility for an insider attack in which an Afghan commando turned his weapon on American troops, killing three and wounding another.US troops in Afghanistan number about 8,400 today, and there are another 5,000 from NATO allies, who mainly serve in a training and advisory capacity.

Heavy rain, landslides kill at least 134 in Bangladesh

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CHITTAGONG (AFP) - Heavy monsoon rains and landslides have killed at least 134 people in southeast Bangladesh, burying many in their homes as they slept, authorities said Tuesday.Three young children from the same family were among those killed in the disaster, which comes just weeks after a cyclone battered the region and destroyed camps housing thousands of Rohingya refugees.Police warned the death toll would likely rise as emergency workers reached remote parts of the Chittagong Hills, where telephone and transport links had been cut.Manzurul Mannan, the government administrator of the worst-hit Rangamati district, said at least 98 people were killed in the hilly region alone.The death toll might rise, Mannan told AFP. At least 30 people were killed in neighbouring Chittagong and another six in Bandarban, officials told AFP, adding about 15 people were missing, feared buried under chunks of mud.Many of the victims were from poor tribal communities in the remote hill district of Rangamati, close to the Indian border, where mudslides buried hundreds of homes. One woman described the ground sliding from beneath their family home in the dead of night, sending them fleeing to a house next door.A few other families also took shelter there, but just after dawn a section of hill fell on the house. Six people are still missing, Khatiza Begum told local news website Bangla Tribune at Rangamati hospital.District police chief Sayed Tariqul Hasan said most of the landslides happened before dawn Tuesday. Some of them were sleeping in their houses on hillsides when the landslides occurred, he said.Police and local authorities ordered the evacuation of thousands of people living in slums at the base of hills in the neighbouring district of Chittagong, where 30 people have been confirmed dead.At least 126 people were killed in that district when a massive landslide buried a village a decade ago.In the latest incident six people were killed in the nearby district of Bandarban, among them three children buried by a landslide as they slept in their home.Authorities have opened 18 shelters in the worst-hit hill districts, where 4,500 people have been evacuated, disaster management and relief minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya told reporters.Head of disaster management department Reaz Ahmed said disaster response teams had been deployed but had not yet been able to reach all the affected areas. Once the rains are over, well get a full picture of the damage and get the recovery work in full swing, he added. The monsoon rains came two weeks after Cyclone Mora smashed into Bangladeshs southeast, killing at least eight people and damaging tens of thousands of homes.Rohingya leader Mohammad Anam said the latest rains had further worsened conditions in camps that were badly hit by the cyclone.Were living in constant fear of landslides, he told AFP. Around 300,000 Rohingya, a mainly Muslim stateless ethnic minority, are living in camps in southeastern Bangladesh after fleeing persecution in Myanmar.Heavy monsoon rains also pounded the capital Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong in the district of the same name, disrupting traffic for hours and flooding key roads and business districts.A ferry sank in the River Buriganga in Dhaka on Monday evening with an estimated 100 passengers aboard, police said, adding all the passengers had managed to swim ashore.Among the victims in Rangamati district were at least four soldiers who had been sent to clear roads after an earlier landslide.Thousands of troops are stationed in Rangamati, where a tribal insurgency raged for two decades, and which still suffers sporadic violence.The soldiers were sent to clear roads hit by landslide in Manikchhari town when they were themselves buried by a second landslide, armed forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Rashidul Hassan told AFP. They fell 30 feet (nine metres) from the main road, he said, adding one soldier was missing and 10 injured, five critically.

Daunting aid challenges as civilians flee Syria's Raqa

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BEIRUT (AFP) - The battle to oust the Islamic State group from its stronghold of Raqa is creating daunting challenges for aid groups responding to the latest humanitarian crisis in the Syrian conflict.Tens of thousands of civilians have fled Raqa and its surroundings since the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) began its operation to capture the jihadist stronghold last year.But new waves of displacement are expected as the battle inside the city progresses.A key problem is getting aid supplies to the relatively remote desert region in Syrias north, with just a trickle of assistance currently crossing from neighbouring Turkey and Iraq.There is supply but its very, very limited and the needs of the population are very high, said Puk Leenders, emergency coordinator for northern Syria for the group Doctors Without Borders (MSF).Turkey considers the key Kurdish component of the SDF a terrorist group and its border with the area north of Raqa is effectively closed.The border crossing with Iraq, over 300 kilometres (180 miles) east of Raqa city, is open to goods, but in practice sees little traffic, local officials say.The United Nations, which operates inside Syria with government permission, has been able to airlift supplies to the city of Qamishli, northeast of Raqa, from government-held Damascus.But this offered limited capacity and was insufficient to meet all needs, said David Swanson, regional spokesman for the UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).The UN is now hoping to start transporting aid from Aleppo to Qamishli, a distance of more than 400 kilometres, but the route must first be tested for security, said Swanson.An estimated 300,000 civilians once lived under IS rule in Raqa, including 80,000 displaced from other parts of Syria before the group seized the city.Tens of thousands fled Raqa and surrounding areas as the SDF closed in on the jihadist bastion.The UN estimates more than 169,000 people fled Raqa city and its environs in April and May alone, and thousands of displaced civilians are now living in overcrowded and underresourced camps.In Ain Issa, 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Raqa, new arrivals say they are sleeping on the ground, with neither mattresses under them nor tents overhead.There are now more than 25,000 people in the Ain Issa camp, which was built with a capacity of 10,000, camp director Jalal Ayyaf told AFP.International organisations are providing support, but its not sufficient for the numbers who are arriving.MSFs Leenders said up to 800 people were arriving at Ain Issa each day, and many more people were simply sleeping on roadsides or under trees in the countryside north of the city.The highly volatile security situation is another major concern for aid groups working in the region, said Paul Donohoe, senior media officer at the International Rescue Committee NGO.We know that there are many mines and IEDs (improvised explosive devices), there is also the risk of IS attacks and there have been reports of some fleeing civilians being killed by coalition air strikes.It is thought up to half the population of Raqa could ultimately flee the city and they will still be very vulnerable to mines and IS snipers, as well as air strikes.Arriving civilians are already presenting health problems ranging from dehydration to untreated chronic illness.And aid groups expect an uptick in wounded arrivals as the fighting intensifies.MSF is establishing stabilisation points near the frontline to provide emergency care to keep the seriously injured alive until they reach hospitals.But there is a severe shortage of qualified medical staff in the region, Leenders said, and medical facilities have also been affected by the fighting.Hospitals are being mined and its really difficult to start those back up because they need to be demined... It can be extremely challenging.The most difficult problem of all may simply be reaching those in need.Many people fleeing... initially end up in locations too close to the frontline for aid agencies to safely respond, said Donohoe.And others cannot leave at all, with IS reportedly using threats, arrests and violence to prevent civilians fleeing.Those who do escape risk unexploded ordnance en route, and the threat of being mistaken for fleeing IS fighters by SDF forces or the US-led coalition.MSF warned last week that civilians in the city faced impossible choices.Either they stay in Raqa, subjecting their children to increased violence and air strikes, or they take them over the frontline, knowing they will need to cross minefields and may be caught in the crossfire.

Turkey's Erdogan slams 'inhumane' isolation of Qatar

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ISTANBUL (AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday slammed the economic and political isolation of Qatar as inhumane and contrary to Islamic values after key Gulf states broke off ties with Ankaras ally.Taking action to isolate a country in all areas is inhumane and un-Islamic, Erdogan said in televised comments to his party in Ankara, after Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain broke off relations with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of supporting terrorism.In his strongest comments yet on the crisis, Erdogan added that Qatar was a country on which a death sentenced had in some way been pronounced.The crisis has put Turkey in a delicate position as Ankara regards Qatar as its chief ally in the Gulf but is also keen to maintain its improving relations with the key regional power Saudi Arabia.Turkey also is eager to maintain workable relations with Iran, Saudi Arabias foe with whom Dohas critics say Qatar maintained excessively close ties.Erdogan added he would hold three-way phone talks on the crisis later Tuesday with French President Emmanuel Macron and Qatars emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. No reports of the talks had materialised by midnight on Tuesday.But Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will visit Qatar on Wednesday for talks with the emir, the foreign ministry said.Cavusoglu will also hold talks with Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, a ministry statement said, adding recent regional developments would be discussed, without giving further details.The move by Saudi and its allies came shortly after US President Donald Trump visited Riyadh, with some analysts saying the US leader had emboldened the Saudi leadership.Earlier, Cavusoglu said that Erdogan would hold talks on the crisis with Trump in the coming days.Erdogan vehemently rejected the accusations -- already strongly denied by Doha -- that Qatar supports terrorism, arguing the country had been a staunch opponent of Islamic State (IS) jihadists. Qatar is a country which, like Turkey, has adopted the most resolute stance against Daesh (IS), said Erdogan. Lets stop fooling ourselves.Striking a careful balance, Erdogan stopped short of directly criticising Saudi Arabias actions but called on Saudi King Salman to show leadership by solving the crisis.I think that as the elder statesman of the Gulf, the king of Saudi Arabia should solve this affair and show leadership, said Erdogan.Turkeys parliament last week approved deploying troops to a Turkish base in Qatar in what was seen as a show of support for its embattled ally.The agreement does not contain any specific number of troops to be stationed in the base, or when.A forward party of several dozen Turkish troops are currently reportedly stationed at the base but the parliament mandate could allow Ankara to send a formal deployment of thousands more to its ally.The Turkish army said in a statement that a three-person Turkish military delegation was currently in Qatar to carry out preparation work for the deployment of troops in the future.The curbs placed on gas-rich Qatar have ranged from bans on flag-carrier Qatar Airways using airspace of the countries involved to Saudi Arabia suspending subscription sales and renewals to a Qatar-linked sports broadcaster.

Sessions brands Russia collusion claims a 'detestable lie'

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Tuesday vehemently denied any collusion with Russia to tilt last years election in Donald Trumps favour, branding the suggestion an appalling and detestable lie.In closely-watched congressional testimony, Sessions angrily denounced allegations he acted improperly during a series of meetings with Russian officials -- or that he knew of any attempt at collusion by members of the Trump campaign team.And he repeatedly refused to reveal whether he had spoken to the president regarding James Comeys handling of the probe into Russian election meddling -- which the former FBI director believes to be the reason he was fired.A Trump loyalist and early backer of the billionaire businessmans presidential bid, the 70-year-old Sessions has recused himself from all ongoing Russia investigations.But the nations top law enforcement official -- who recommended Comeys dismissal last month -- has himself become a focal point in the crisis roiling the White House.Sessions kicked off his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee by asserting that he had never met with or had any conversations with any Russians about interference in the 2016 presidential race.I have no knowledge of any such conversations by anyone connected to the Trump campaign, he said. The suggestion that I participated with any collusion, that I was aware of any collusion with the Russian government to hurt this country... is an appalling and detestable lie.The appearance was Sessionss first sworn public testimony since being confirmed as attorney general in February, and comes as political intrigue pulses through the US capital following Comeys explosive testimony last week.During the two-and-a-half hour hearing, he engaged in testy exchanges with several senators who pressed him for details on his discussions with Trump -- which he refused to provide in the name of confidentiality.Some Democrats grew impatient, warning Sessions was stonewalling on vital issues.You are obstructing that congressional investigation by not answering that question, charged Senator Martin Heinrich. Your silence... speaks volumes.Sessions responded: I am not stonewalling. I am following the historic policies of the Department of Justice.Testifying last week before the same committee, Comey recalled that Trump had asked him to let go of a probe into onetime national security advisor Michael Flynn -- exposing the president to accusations of obstruction of justice, a potentially impeachable offense.Flynn was sacked two weeks into the job amid concerns he lied over his Russian contacts, becoming the first high-profile victim of the scandal that has overshadowed Trumps young presidency.Trump has recently expressed frustration with Sessions, who has come under pressure over his own Russia contacts.While the Justice Department has said Sessions recused himself in March because of his involvement in Trumps campaign, Comey testified that the FBI knew of information that would have made it problematic for Sessions to be involved.But the attorney generals pushed back hard when asked what those problematic matters could be, retorting: There are none. I can tell you that for absolute certainty.This is a secret innuendo being leaked out there about me, and I dont appreciate it, he added.Barely a month after Trump dismissed Comey, rumors have been circulating that he may yet seek to sack Robert Mueller, the special counsel appointed following the FBI chiefs ouster to head the agencys Russia investigation.Sessions declined to comment on those reports, stating only that he had confidence in Mueller and would not be involved in any effort, should it arise, to fire the special counsel.He also said that since his recusal, I have no knowledge about this investigation beyond media reports.Addressing allegations that he had unreported meetings with Russian officials while he advised the Trump campaign, Sessions said he had already acknowledged two encounters last year with Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.But he denied any substantive discussion with Kislyak at a third encounter, at an April 27, 2016 reception for Trump at Washingtons Mayflower Hotel.Sessions also pushed back against Comeys suggestion he may have failed to take appropriate steps to protect the FBI chief from political pressure.At the conclusion of a February 14 meeting, the sacked FBI chief testified, Trump urged everyone but Comey to leave the Oval Office, including Sessions. Comey said the president then leaned on him to halt the Flynn investigation.Sessions said he learned from Comey that he felt concerned about being left alone with the president but that, since Comey did not relay details of the conversation, he had no way of knowing it was improper.Tuesdays hearing was followed by predictably partisan reaction from Republicans and rival Democrats.With no evidence of collusion, wrongdoing, or obstruction of justice by President Trump or the White House, how much longer is this going to go on, said Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel, praising Sessionss honesty and professionalism.However Democrat Congressman Jim Langevin said Sessions fell short of the standard of evidence required at such a hearing.The Attorney Generals testimony this afternoon was unsubstantial, unresponsive, and unacceptable. Mr Sessions -- like every government employee -- has an obligation to answer to the oversight of Congress. He failed that obligation and his oath to the Constitution with his stonewalling of senators.

Arthur backs Pakistan's 'best game' to beat England

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CARDIFF (AFP) - Pakistan may be the underdogs heading into a Champions Trophy semi-final with England in Cardiff on Wednesday, but coach Mickey Arthur believes their best game could see his side cause a major upset.England were the only team to exit the group stage unbeaten, having won all three of their matches.Pakistan, by contrast, suffered a 124-run thrashing by title-holders and arch-rivals India in their opener before, just days later, upsetting the ranking in a bottom versus top contest by beating South Africa.It then needed an ugly win over Sri Lanka in Cardiff on Monday to take Pakistan into the last four of a tournament featuring the worlds top eight one-day international sides.Pakistan, chasing a seemingly modest target of 237 against Sri Lanka, were facing defeat and tournament elimination at 137 for six.But Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed, dropped twice, struck a superb 61 not out and received excellent support from Mohammad Amir (28 not out) in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 75 that sealed a tense three-wicket victory.When you win ugly, you learn a lot about the team, said Arthur, a former coach of both his native South Africa and Australia. So I guess it gives a lot of confidence.But he said a semi-final could not be the summit of Pakistans ambitions, with an all Asian final against either India or Bangladesh, who play Thursday, in their sights.The last thing I want is for us to go away now thinking that we got to a semi-final, were okay, weve achieved, because that would be a cop-out in my mind, he said.Pakistan certainly made hard work of the chase after their bowlers had held Sri Lanka to 236 all out, with pacemen Junaid Khan (three for 40) and Hasan Ali (three for 43) doing the damage.Sometimes thats our strength, our unpredictability, said Arthur. Its just we do sometimes make it difficult for ourselves.Well though Sarfraz batted, he needed the support of Amir, primarily a left-arm fast bowler.Now back in the side after a ban and jail term in a British prison for spot-fixing, Amir is becoming an ever more important member of the Pakistan team and Arthur said: He showed what we know he can do with the bat yesterday (Monday).Sarfraz, meanwhile, probably wishes he could bat at Cardiff all the time, with the wicket-keeper having made 90 on the same ground last year as Pakistan chased down a target of 303 against England in a four-wicket win that prevented a 5-0 ODI series whitewash.We win that time, we chased 300, so definitely our confidence is very high playing in Cardiff, Sarfraz said after Mondays thrilling triumph.However, England captain Eoin Morgan played down the importance of last years result by saying Tuesday: I think the impact of that series was 4-1.Obviously, on their day, they (Pakistan) can beat any team in the world...Theyre very dangerous.But Arthur was in no doubt of Englands quality, saying: Theyre a really good one-day unit with no apparent weaknesses.England, however, are set to drop opener Jason Roy, whose latest low score in the victory over Australia last time out means he has now managed just 51 runs in eight ODI innings this season, and replace him with Jonny Bairstow.Morgan, whose 87 together with Ben Stokess 102 not out saw England recover from a top-order collapse against Australia, would not confirm Englands XI on Tuesday.But he signalled a change by saying: Were getting to the business end of the tournament and we need to produce results.Roy apart, England appear to have all bases covered as they go in search of their first major ODI title, with a long batting order and a balanced attack led by fast bowler Mark Wood.I think weve started brilliantly, said Morgan. I hope weve not played our best cricket yet.

Lahore: Police nab 5 suspects during search operation

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Police conducted search operation in different parts of Lahore on Tuesday and apprehended at least five accused, Dunya News reported.According to details, police conducted search operation at the bus stands and adjacent localities in Nawankot area and Makka Colony of Naseerabad area.Biometric device was used for the identification of the residents during search operation in which five suspects were taken into custody who failed to produce any identity document.The arrested persons were later shifted to police station for further investigation.

Kidnapped Gujranwala trader rescued from Lahore

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GUJRANWALA (Dunya News) – According to details, trader Naved Ahmad was kidnapped by five persons including three former policemen from Shaheenabad area of Gujranwala on Monday and shifted him to Begumkot area of Lahore.The abductors severely tortured Naved and demanded Rs five lakh from his family as ransom.On getting information Dhaley police launched a search to arrest the kidnappers with the help of telephone numbers used by them and arrested four accused including a former police sub-inspector and recovered Naved Ahmad.

PM Nawaz to appear before Panama case JIT tomorrow

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will appear before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in Panama case at the Federal Judicial Academy tomorrow (Thursday), Dunya News reported.Preparations are underway with full swing in Islamabad ahead of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s appearance before JIT probing the assets of the premiers family disclosed in Panama Papers.Mayors of Rawalpindi and Islamabad reviewed the sanitation and other arrangements outside the Federal Judicial Academy. Dilapidated roads in the vicinity of the building have also been repaired. Banners expressing solidarity with the prime minister have also been displayed at various places.Law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have also beefed up efforts to ensure infallible security arrangements at judicial academy and its surrounding areas.

CT 2017: Rejuvenated Pakistan face England in first semi-final today

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CARDIFF (Agencies) - Pakistan will lock horns with England in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff today (Wednesday).Pakistan will be boosted by Sarfrazs match-winning knock in the teams three-wicket win over Sri Lanka, which put them into the semis.That they managed to hold their own in a match where there was quite a few twists and turns, should boost Pakistans morale.The green shirts are also excited about the explosive entry of opener Fakhar Zaman, who slammed 50 off 36 balls against the Sri Lankans. Another round of enterprise at the top by the new man would do Pakistan a world of good.While the middle order batting remains a concern, Sarfraz said Pakistan will address it so that the likes of Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik click when the situation demands.England boast the best ODI record among all teams in the calendar year, but Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed remains hopeful that the teams high confidence in Cardiff will stand them in good stead when they return to the Welsh capital to face England.England is a very good team, a very, very good team, said Sarfraz of the tournament hosts. If you are playing a world-class team, definitely, you play more positive cricket, so we will do so against England, he added.Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur added that his side would not settle for simply reaching the semis as he urged them to go one step further.We certainly didnt want to be just making up the numbers in this competition, and weve shown that we werent, said the South African. Now we need to go one step further and never be satisfied.The last thing I want is for us to go away now thinking that we got to a semi-final, were okay, weve achieved, because that would be a cop-out in my mind.Weve got nothing to lose, yes, but weve always said were in it to win it. We know that realistically England are playing unbelievably well. Theyre a really, really good one-day unit with no apparent weaknesses.Sarfrazs opposite number Eoin Morgan hinted that there may a change to his sides top order for the match after Jason Roy disappointing outings.Morgan said there was a chance Jonny Bairstow could replace the struggling Jason Roy and insisted he would have no worries about Bairstow opening -- something he has yet to do in international cricket.Morgan would not confirm his XI at Tuesdays pre-match press conference in Cardiff but said there was a chance we could make a change.Surrey opener Roy averaged just 6.37 from eight ODI innings this season, with a mere two double-figure scores and has lost seemingly lost the backing of his captain.

ICC in Cardiff tickets plea amid fear of India 'no-shows'

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CARDIFF (AFP) - Fans who no longer plan to attend the Champions Trophy semi-final between England and Pakistan in Cardiff on Wednesday have been urged to put their tickets on the official re-sale site in a bid to prevent empty seats at the ground.When spectators bought tickets for the one-day tournament, they were asked to specify a team preference by the International Cricket Council (ICC).Of those that did for the Cardiff semi-final, 30 percent said they were India fans.But with title-holders India playing Bangladesh in Thursdays second semi-final at Edgbaston, there are concerns that Wednesdays match at the 14,100 capacity Cardiff ground could be blighted by mass no shows.The deadline for fans to get their tickets on the resale site is midnight (2300 GMT) on Tuesday and after that officials will decide whether they can put them on sale on the morning of the game.Both semi-finals are officially sold out.But some 8,000 fans have gone missing from the three group fixtures played in Cardiff.Thats been reasonably disappointing here, but we are doing as much as we can across all of our channels, Claire Furlong, the ICCs communications manager, told reporters at the ground on Tuesday.It is a sell-out but we are doing as much as we can to ensure its a sell-out with bums on seats as well, she added.There were suggestions bad weather may have been a factor in people deciding not to turn up on the day for Englands match against New Zealand in Cardiff.But Eoin Morgan, the England captain, was confident of plenty of support on Wednesday.Cardiff has always been a very good venue for us and the last game we had great support and a full house and everybody seems to get right behind us, he said.I think tomorrow is sold out. That is what I have been told.

EU seeks post-Brexit powers over London euro clearing

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - The EU unveiled plans Tuesday to give itself powers to force a huge slice of Londons banking business out of the UK after Brexit in a blow to the citys supremacy as a global financial hub.The proposal released by European Commission vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis empowers Europe to decide if post-Brexit London has the right to host financial market clearing houses that deal in euros, the EUs single currency.Clearing houses are a key part of the financial systems plumbing, with trillions of euros being handled every year, almost exclusively out of London.The purpose of our proposal is to ensure financial stability, and not moving business for the sake of moving business, Dombrovskis told reporters at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.We are not putting forward some kind of generalised location requirement, but rather empowering relevant authorities... to put forward this proposal if they deem that enhanced supervision is not sufficient to safeguard financial stability.The plan is weaker than a blanket forced-move of euro clearing initially feared by London. That would have been seen as a hostile act against Britain only days after Prime Minister Theresa May embarrassingly lost her majority in British elections.The issue of whether euro clearing houses can remain in the British capital is set to be one of the most contentious issues when Britain negotiates its future trade relationship with the EU after its departure.Britain has jealously guarded dominance of the clearing house sector in Europe and won an EU court decision in 2015 against the European Central Bank in order to keep hosting the euro deals.Still, under the draft law, vaunted financial firms such as the London Stock Exchange stand at risk of a forced move of their euro clearing business to a bloc country.- Complete chaos -====================The London Stock Exchange and its massive LCH clearing business is widely seen as being the top target of the new EU policy.LSE chief executive Xavier Rolet on Sunday warned of complete chaos if a relocation was imposed on LCH and urged the EU for caution.After the announcement, officials in London said the threat to relocate would only cause market disruption and increase costs for investors.In taking steps to shift power away from UK clearing houses, the EU could damage itself unnecessarily, said Catherine McGuinness, Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation.Fragmentation ... across Europe and the rest of the world could lead to firms costs increase by as much as 20 percent, she said.London lobbyists also insist that only Wall Street or Asia would benefit in the event of an EU ordered exile from Britain.Last week the Futures Industry Association, a US and UK-linked lobby, warned that forced relocation to the EU would require a near doubling of the $83 billion finance companies set aside in case of contract defaults. This figure however has been dismissed by Frankfurt-based Eurex Clearing, owned by Deutsche Boerse. The draft law also proposes to centralise supervision of clearing houses dealing in EU currencies, in addition to the euro. This would hand significant new powers to ESMA, which would work with the ECB and other EU central banks. A senior German official said that the clearing sector was already moving out of London, given the hard line taken by London in the run up to Brexit talks. There is already movement... The first institutions are turning to ... the continent and especially here in Frankfurt, said Bundesbank board member Joachim Wuermeling to Handelsblatt, the German business daily. Thats likely to increase massively as the talks go on, if the likelihood of a hard Brexit increases, he said.
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