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Sunday, May 31, 2015

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Dunya TV

Tennis: Federer leads over-30s into record French Open show

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PARIS (AFP) - Roger Federer bids to reach the French Open quarter-finals for the 11th time on Sunday when he faces home favourite Gael Monfils.Second seed Federer, the 2009 champion in Paris, is one of six men over the age of 30 to make the last-16 -- the most since 1969, when there were eight.Monfils, seeded 13, has defeated Federer in each of their last two meetings on clay -- at the 2014 Davis Cup final and this year in Monte Carlo.But 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer has won all three of their previous clashes at Roland Garros and went on to reach the final after each meeting -- in 2008, 2009 and 2011.Monfils is one of three Frenchmen in action Sunday -- 14th seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga tackles fourth seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic while Gilles Simon, seeded 12, faces eighth-seeded Swiss Stan Wawrinka.Japans fifth seed Kei Nishikori, who benefitted from a walkover in his third round match, faces world number 74 Teymuraz Gabashvili of Russia.Defending womens champion Maria Sharapova, also the winner in 2012 and runner-up in 2013, faces Czech 13th seed Lucie Safarova for a place in the quarter-finals.Sharapova, who has been battling a cold throughout the first week, has a 4-1 record over the 28-year-old Czech whose only win came in the pairs first meeting in Madrid five years ago.Seventh-seeded Serb Ana Ivanovic, the 2008 champion, faces Russian ninth seed Ekaterina Makarova who has reached the last-16 for the first time.Sundays other fourth round ties see Ukraine 19th seed facing the last Frenchwoman in the draw, Alize Cornet.Italian veteran Flavia Pennetta plays Spains Garbine Muguruza who beat Serena Williams last year on her way to the quarter-finals.French Open order of play on showcourts on Sunday, the eighth day of the 2015 tournament at Roland Garros (x denotes seeded player; 0900 GMT start):Court Philippe ChatrierElina Svitolina (UKR x19) v Alize Cornet (FRA x29)Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x14) v Tomas Berdych (CZE x4)Gael Monfils (FRA x13) v Roger Federer (SUI x2)Flavia Pennetta (ITA x28) v Garbine Muguruzu (ESP x21)Court Suzanne LenglenAna Ivanovic (SRB x7) v Ekaterina Makarova (RUS x9)Kei Nishikori (JPN x5) v Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS)Stan Wawrinka (SUI x8) v Gilles Simon (FRA x12)Lucie Safarova (CZE x13) v Maria Sharapova (RUS x2)

Blatter shocked by US anti-corruption tactics campaign

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ZURICH (AFP) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter expressed shock Saturday at the tactics used by the US anti-corruption investigators but insisted he was not a target.The 79-year-old Swiss official, on the offensive after being re-elected to a new term on Friday, also slammed what he called a hate campaign by European football leadersBlatter said he suspected the arrest of seven FIFA officials in Zurich on Wednesday under a US anti-corruption warrant was an attempt to interfere with the congress that returned him to power.There are signs which cannot be mistaken: the Americans were candidates for the 2022 World Cup and they lost, he told Swiss television channel RTS.I am not certain, but it doesnt smell good.He described the US as the number one sponsor of Jordan, home country of his challenger for the FIFA presidency, Prince Ali bin al Hussein.The Jordanian prince, who had the backing of European football body UEFA, withdrew from Fridays race after the first round of voting.The seven arrested officials were all detained for corruption cases in North and South America and Blatter said they could have been arrested on their home territory or at a FIFA executive committee six weeks ago.He also condemned comments about FIFA made by senior members of the US judiciary, including Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who lamented the rampant, systemic and deep-rooted corruption in football. Another official spoke of a World Cup of fraud.Of course I am shocked, Blatter responded. I would never as FIFA president make comments about another organisation without being certain of what has happened.More chargesUS authorities have so far indicted 14 people, including the seven held in Zurich, on charges of involvement in $150 million of bribes for sports media contracts. They include two FIFA vice presidents.A senior US legal official has said more indictments are likely in the case.Blatter said he had been affected by the scandal that has hit world footballs governing body but denied he was the FIFA official that US investigators say authorised a $10 million payment to disgraced former FIFA vice president Jack Warner.I have been affected by what has happened and I have been hurt by the attacks, he said.The US indictment says in 2008 a high ranking FIFA official authorised a $10 million payment to Warner, a former head of the North and Central American confederation, which was money intended as a bribe.Blatter said: I dont go into these allegations. If such a thing is under investigation let it go (on) and definitely thats not me.Britains Sunday Times newspaper reported that Blatter would be quizzed by Swiss prosecutors along with nine other serving FIFA officials as part of a separate criminal investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.The report refers to an inquiry launched by team of prosecutors based in Bern two months ago, codenamed Operation Darwin, but the source of the information was not made clear.Forgive but not forgetIt is a hate that comes not just from one person at UEFA, it comes from the UEFA organisation that cannot understand that in 1998 I became president, Blatter added in the interview.Asked whether he would forgive UEFA chief Michel Platini, Blatter said I forgive everyone but I do not forget.European football leaders expressed concern at Blatters win and have hinted they could take new action against FIFA.Platini has said UEFA will review relations with FIFA on June 6.English Football Association Greg Dyke indicated England could be ready to back a European boycott of the World Cup.An English vice president of FIFA, David Gill, refused to take up his place on the executive committee on Saturday because of Blatters victory.But German football legend Franz Beckenbauer, a former FIFA executive member, called for urgent dialogue between UEFA and FIFA.I think that they are currently poles apart. The only thing that can help is to communicate, Beckenbauer told German sports news agency SID, an AFP subsidiary.They need to talk fast. Because what is happening is detrimental not only to the federations but also for football, Beckenbauer added.But even Prince William, second in line to the British throne and president of the English FA, waded into the controversy calling on FIFA to show that it can represent the interests of fair play and put the sport first.He called on sponsors and other backers to apply pressure on footballs governing body.Sponsors and government leaders have hammered FIFA over the corruption scandal.FIFA sponsors Coca-Cola, Budweiser and McDonalds called after the election result for quick moves to transparency.Credit card giant Visa has threatened to reassess its sponsorship if FIFA does not clean up its act.Blatter said he was organising a personal visit with sponsors in a bid to reassure them.

China rejects US criticism of sea reclamations

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SINGAPORE (AFP) - China on Sunday rejected US demands to stop its intensifying reclamation works in the South China Sea, saying it was exercising its sovereignty while helping the rest of the world.Admiral Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of the general staff department in the Peoples Liberation Army, told a security summit in Singapore that the situation in the South China Sea is on the whole peaceful and stable, and there has never been an issue with the freedom of navigation.China has carried out construction on some islands and reefs in the South China Sea mainly for the purpose of improving the functions of the relevant islands and reefs, and the working and living conditions of personnel stationed there.Apart from meeting the necessary defence needs, it is more geared to better perform Chinas international responsibilities and obligations regarding maritime search and rescue, disaster prevention and relief, maritime scientific research, meteorological observation, environmental protection, safety of navigation, fishery production, services, he added.Sun was speaking one day after US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter demanded an immediate end to Chinas reclamation works and said Beijing was out of step with international norms with its behaviour in disputed waters.

Vice President Biden's son Beau dies of cancer: White House

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Beau Biden, 46, the oldest son of Vice President Joe Biden, has died of cancer, a White House statement said late Saturday.The vice president, in the statement on behalf of the Biden family, announced with broken hearts that Beau had died after a battle with brain cancer.The entire Biden family is saddened beyond words. We know that Beaus spirit will live on in all of us -- especially through his brave wife, Hallie, and two remarkable children, Natalie and Hunter, the statement read.It added that Beau battled brain cancer with the same integrity, courage and strength he demonstrated every day of his life.President Barack Obama, in a separate statement, expressed his condolences late Saturday.Michelle and I are grieving tonight, Obama said.Beau took after Joe. He studied the law, like his dad, even choosing the same law school. He chased a life of public service, like his dad, serving in Iraq and as Delawares attorney general, the president said.Like his dad, Beau was a good, big-hearted, devoutly Catholic and deeply faithful man, who made a difference in the lives of all he touched -- and he lives on in their hearts.Beau Biden, an attorney, briefly considered running for the US Senate to take the seat vacated when his father became vice president, but ultimately opted instead to practice law after leaving the post as Delawares attorney general.

Provincial Minister Ali Amin picks ballot boxes, crowd surrounds his car

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DERA ISMAIL KHAN (Dunya News) – Provincial Minister Ali Amin on Sunday picked up ballot boxes filled with votes from Himut polling station in Dera Ismail Khan. However, Amin’s car was surrounded by a crowd when he was about to leave.Amin is present in his vehicle as the crowd encircles him. Top police officials including the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) have reached the scene of the incidence.The crowd gathered around Amin’s car has refused to negotiate with the police and has requested the army to intervene.

Firing kills 16 year old, PTI says shot dead by ANP workers

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PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – An incidence of firing by unknown individuals killed a 16 year old boy late Saturday night in Pabbi. Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) has accused that the boy was shot dead by Awami National Party (ANP) workers. PTI workers surrounded the house of ANP’s former Information Minister Mian Iftikhar’s home after the incidence.According to the details, PTI workers were celebrating their success in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa’s (KP) local body elections when unknown assailants opened fire on the celebrating workers.The army was called in as the situation became serious which provided safe passage for Iftikhar to leave his home.Police has taken 10 workers of ANP into custody and began their investigation into the shooting incidence.

Suriname president's party protests election results

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PARAMARIBO (AFP) - Surinames ruling party National Democratic Party (NDP), led by president Desi Bouterse, has disputed results in several districts of the capital, which now will be recounted Sunday, authorities said.The NDP alleged there were problems with polling at 20 stations, its spokesman Winston Lackin told reporters Saturday.Unofficial results from Mondays general parliamentary elections give the NDP 26 seats, a small margin of the majority in the 51-seat National Assembly. Of those 26 seats nine are likely to be awarded in the capital, which is the largest electoral district.Bouterse, 69, will have to muster another eight votes to guarantee his own re-election, since the president is chosen by a two-thirds majority of parliament.Though the NDP wants to rule alone with its small majority, it needs more support in case a lawmaker drops out and they need 34 votes to re-elect Bouterse.A two-time coup leader and former international fugitive, Bouterse has long loomed large over Suriname, whether in his military fatigues and sunglasses, his sharp presidential suits or the Che Guevara T-shirts he favors as leisurewear.He seized power in 1980 as a 34-year-old sergeant major.His regime put down two counter-coups and rounded up and executed 15 opponents in 1982, an event known as the December killings.He stepped down in 1987 under international pressure, but returned to power in 1990 in a second, bloodless coup.After leaving power a second time, he was indicted and court-martialed for the December killings, but his coalition passed a controversial amnesty law in 2012 that aborted the trial.His top rival for the presidency is Chan Santokhi, a former police commissioner who led the investigation of the December killings and has vowed to repeal the amnesty law if elected.The new parliament should have its first meeting within 30 days after being elected and the new president should be sworn-in before August 12, 2015.The Netherlands convicted Bouterse in absentia of cocaine smuggling in 1999, but he remained free because Suriname does not extradite its citizens.Earlier this year, a Dutch court rejected his third bid to have the conviction overturned.

Italian PM says 800 victims of trawler will be given burial

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TRENTO (AFP) - Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on Saturday repeated his commitment to refloat the wreck of the trawler which sank in April with the deaths of around 800 migrants and lay to rest the victims.The Italian navy located the wreck in early May lying 85 nautical miles north of the Libyan coast.Investigators say pictures of the wreck show bodies lying nearby, on the bridge of the ship and inside the hull.When this boat capsized and sank, we committed ourselves to go and check if there really were as many bodies as the survivors said, Renzi said after talks with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls in the northern Italian town of Trento.I made this commitment and I would like to confirm it once again, Renzi said.We will bring this boat to the surface and we will give a grave to these men and to these women, to these sisters and these brothers.If there is anyone in Europe or in the world who thinks ones own conscience can be buried at a depth of 387 metres, France and Italy will go and tell them that this is not possible, Renzi said.Just 28 survivors were rescued and taken to Italy and 24 bodies were picked up and buried in Malta. The survivors included a Tunisian and a Syrian who are suspected of being the captain of the trawler and his second-in-command.The tragedy on the night of April 18 sparked calls for more to be done to tackle human trafficking by sea and to ease the pressure on frontline states like Italy, Greece and Malta by having other countries take in asylum seekers.Despite the dangers, the migrants keep coming. The Italian coastguard said it had coordinated the rescue of about 4,200 migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean on Friday, but also found 17 corpses on several of the rickety boats.

Football: Wenger wants Arsenal to use Cup as platform for title bid

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LONDON (AFP) - Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal stars to use their FA Cup final masterclass as inspiration to mount a serious bid for the Premier League title next season.Wengers side made history at Wembley on Saturday with a 4-0 rout of Aston Villa that underlined their renaissance in the second half of the campaign and served as a warning to English champions Chelsea.Goals from Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud ensured Wenger became the first post-War manager to win the FA Cup six times, while the Gunners are now the most successful club in the history of the famous old competition after lifting the trophy for the 12th time.It was also the biggest FA Cup final margin of victory since 1994, but even those gaudy statistics dont do justice to the potential impact of Arsenals stylish display.After a spluttering start to the season that raised renewed questions about Wengers future, the Frenchman and his team have got their groove back over the last few months, rattling off a long winning streak to climb to a third place finish in the league before winning the Cup.Now, 11 years after they were last crowned kings of England, Wenger is willing to talk bullishly about a sustained assault on the title and even invoked the memory of his famous Invincibles, who went undefeated en route to winning the league in 2004.I feel we have made progress since the start of the season for sure, in the way we play, the way we manage games and our togetherness as well, Wenger said.We finished third and won the Cup. Its a good platform to do well next season.Its about consistency at the top level. We have shown signs of consistency.Remember we are the only ones who didnt lose for 49 games. Nobody else has done it.When we have that kind of strong consistency we can challenge.Guile and graceArsenals revival has been helped by the loosening of the purse strings at the Emirates Stadium, with the big-money acquisitions of Sanchez and Mesut Ozil over the last two years adding guile, grace and big-game know-how to a team of notoriously brittle confidence.And the assured way they dealt with Villa, highlighted by Sanchezs brilliant long-range strike, gave Wenger confidence he doesnt need to invest in many more new signings over the close-season.We will see what is going on in the transfer market, but we already have a good basis and a good confidence level, he said.Lets be intelligent in the summer. Of course we can push on. We have won the league before when we had the potential to do it. Lets do it again.Even a football obsessive like Wenger wanted to focus on enjoying the fruits of a hard season for a few hours at least however and he dodged any further questions on potential transfer targets.Im not in a buying (players) mood tonight. I will just buy a drink for my players he said.How will I celebrate? The players have organised it all. I have organised the whole year so I will follow them for a changeGrim-faced Villa manager Tim Sherwood was more forthcoming about his plans for next season as he surveyed the wreckage of his teams failed bid to win the Cup for the first time since 1957.Sherwood earned plaudits for helping Villa avoid relegation following his arrival in February, but the way his players meekly accepted defeat on Saturday only emphasised how much rebuilding still needs to be done to a squad grown used to underachievement.The group needs to get better, they need to change their mentality because quite a few of them are too used to losing matches, Sherwood said.The job was to come and keep the team in the division which I managed to achieve, but I have to improve this team.The process starts immediately. Some of the boys have already been told they wont be here next season. I had to be honest with them.

Football: Flashy Neymar won't change despite final controversy

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BARCELONA (AFP) - Brazilian star Neymar has insisted he wont be bullied into curbing his repertoire of skills after a host of Athletic Bilbao players reacted angrily to his show-boating towards the end of Barcelonas 3-1 Copa del Rey final win on Saturday.Neymar flicked the ball over Unai Bustinza with both feet with two minutes to go and Barca well on their way to sealing a 27th Copa del Rey to go with the La Liga title they won two weeks ago.Bilbaos outraged players immediately surrounded the 22-year-old with Barcas veteran captain Xavi Hernandez having to lead his teammate away from the fracas.They can be angry, but it is my way of playing and I have done so for years. Just because others get angry doesnt mean I am going to change my style of play, said Neymar.However, Barca boss Luis Enrique had strong words for his star, who had scored his sides second goal of the evening either side of Lionel Messis stunning opener and a second from the Argentine.In Spain this is looked on very badly. If I was an Athletic player I would have reacted the same, or even worse, said Enrique.In Brazil this is normal, so we have to understand the context. He didnt do it to humiliate his opponent, it is difficult to explain it when someone is losing but we will try to control it with time.Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde also claimed Neymar, who is coming towards the end of his second season with the Catalan giants, needs to learn that such gestures will not be tolerated in Spain.It is not even looked upon well by his own fans, he said.When the game is won we are very well aware to maintain certain respect for the opponent. There are things that he will learn with time.The incident took the shine off another brilliant display for Barca, and in particular Messi, that leaves them just one game away from sealing a treble.Enriques men face Juventus in the Champions League final next Saturday and will be strong favourites with the four-time World Player of the Year in such form.Messi beat four Athletic players before firing in at the near post to open the scoring before taking his tally for the campaign to 58 in the second-half.It is difficult to get used to seeing things like that, but he does things in training that are even more incredible, added Enrique.When he is surrounded by teammates of such great quality and with a common goal it is a joy to watch.And Athletic captain Andoni Iraola believes Neymar could also learn from the attitude shown by Messi.For me it didnt seem elegant or sporting at all, said the 32-year-old, who was playing his final game for the Basques after more than 500 appearances.He has examples in his own team that he should pay attention to because he has much to learn from them.

Football: Messi-inspired Barcelona win 27th Copa del Rey

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BARCELONA (AFP) - A Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona sealed a league and Cup double as they swept aside Athletic Bilbao 3-1 to win the Copa del Rey for a 27th time on Saturday.Messi opened the scoring in spectacular fashion by dribbling past four Athletic players and lashing home a low finish before Neymar added a second before half-time.The Argentine grabbed his second of the game to kill the tie as a contest 17 minutes from time before Inaki Williams grabbed a consolation for the Basques.Despite Athletic fans dominating two-thirds of the 99,000 capacity Camp Nou, there was nothing their players could do to stop a rampant Barca that is now just one game away from just the second treble in the clubs history.Luis Enriques men face Italian champions Juventus in the Champions League final in Berlin on June 6.From the start we saw a great Barca with all the players at a high level, said Barcelona boss Luis Enrique.It is a shame for Athletic to have played these finals in the last few years against a Barca playing so well.They deserve a Cup and I hope they soon get it because the behaviour of their fans was spectacular.The game began in controversy after the Spanish national anthem was drowned by the fans of two clubs with strong separatist identities.Heavily involved MessiOn the field there was little to argue about as Messi tore Bilbao apart to continue their 31-year drought without winning a major trophy.He is a player that we always say appears in the most decisive moments and obviously he wasnt going to miss out in a final, said Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde.His first goal was incredible.The four-time World Player of the Year teed up Neymar for what should have been the opening goal just nine minutes in, but the Brazilians effort was wrongly disallowed for offside.Luis Suarez then forced Iago Herrerin into the first of many fine saves with a low drive.Herrerin was left as helpless as the rest of his teammates 11 minutes later when Messi danced past Mikel Balenziaga, Mikel Rico and Benat Etxebarria tight on the touchline before turning inside Aymeric Laporte and smashing in at the near post.Even by the Argentines incredibly high standards the move and finish was as good as any of his previous 410 Barca goals.Messi wasnt finished as he then turned provider for Suarez whose low cross was met by Neymar and brilliantly blocked by Herrerin.The Athletic stopper continued to frustrate Barca as he then stretched to turn Gerard Piques effort from Messis free-kick over.Barcelona did finally double their advantage nine minutes before half-time with Messi again heavily involved as he fed Ivan Rakitic who released Suarez and this time the Uruguayans pass was rolled into an unguarded net by Neymar for his seventh goal of the competition.Athletic starlet Inaki Williams came closest to a reply before the break with a dipping volley that clipped the top of the crossbar.However, Herrerin had to be alive moments later to turn a free-kick from Messi behind.Perhaps with one eye on next weekends Champions League final, Barca eased up slightly in the second period.Xavi Hernandez was brought on to savour his final appearance at the Camp Nou after a 17-year career.Messi added his 58th goal of the season as he pounced on some lackadaisical Athletic defending to prod home Dani Alvess cross.The Bilbao faithful did at least get something to cheer 11 minutes from time as the 20-year-old Williams notched just his third senior goal from Ibai Gomezs cross.

Football: Hughes praises Inverness spirit in Scottish Cup win

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GLASGOW (AFP) - Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager John Hughes praised the spirit of his side as they battled to a historic 2-1 win over Falkirk to lift the Scottish Cup on Saturday.The Premiership side took a first half lead at Hampden through Marley Watkins before they were reduced to ten men when Carl Tremarco was shown a straight red for hauling down Blair Alston in the 75th minute.The pendulum appeared to swing in Championship side Falkirks favour when Peter Grant headed home a deserved equaliser in the 80th minute. But, with extra time looming, substitute James Vincent fired in an 86th minute winner to land Inverness their first major piece of silverware since their formation in 1994.It caps off a remarkable season for the Highland club who also claimed their highest ever league finish of third to seal a Europa League spot next season.Over the course of the season weve been a right good team and to finish off Scottish Cup final winners against a good Falkirk side means I am absolutely delighted, the Inverness manager said.Im absolutely elated to win the cup, but we didnt half make it hard for ourselves. I think the spirit to dig it out was absolutely exceptional.I am just delighted we got the goal. If it had gone to extra-time I dont know if we would have had enough in the tank to see it out.I am delighted for the boys and its not the first time this year weve been down to ten men and weve shown a spirit to turn it round.But while Hughes was delighted with his sides determination, he slammed their unacceptable second half performance, evoking memories of Sir Alex Fergusons famous post-match rant at his Aberdeen side after they needed extra time to win 1-0 against Rangers in the 1983 Scottish Cup final.I felt we started a little bit nervous in the first ten minutes but then we got going and I felt we were the better team in the first half and got a good goal, Hughes said.I dont want to sound like Sir Alex Ferguson back in his Aberdeen days but in the second half we never showed up and it wasnt good enough.I was frustrated as we never played in the second half. We never got on the ball, we never passed it and it wasnt acceptable.We just kept giving it away and we couldnt hold it up and thats not a standard that we set ourselves.Falkirk manager Peter Houston said his players were reduced to tears by the defeat as the club missed the chance to lift the Scottish Cup for the first time since 1957.We changed it about at half-time and it looked like we believed in ourselves a bit more in the second half and I thought we dominated and put them under a lot of pressure, Houston said.We got the equaliser and, if Im being honest, I thought there was only one team going on to win it.There are a couple of guys in tears in there. Human nature is that you make mistakes sometimes and David McCracken and Jamie MacDonald are disappointed in their particular parts in the second goal. But I thought these guys were superb and have been absolutely brilliant for us this season.I have got nothing but praise for the players and Im absolutely gutted for them and the supporters.They took the game brilliantly to Inverness in the second half and I think we deserved more.

Golf: Pressel remains on top in bid to end title drought

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GALLOWAY (AFP) - American Morgan Pressel, seeking her first LPGA title since 2008, fired a two-under par 69 to maintain her lead after Saturdays second round of the Shoprite Classic.The 27-year-old US standout stood on seven-under 135 through 36 holes at the 54-hole event, one stroke ahead of Swedens Anna Nordqvist as she pressed for her first victory since the 2008 Kapalua Classic.Pressels only other triumph came in 2007 when she won her first major title at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.But Pressel has improved this season, settling for second at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic last month at San Francisco, losing to New Zealand teen star Lydia Ko in a playoff.Pressel birdied the par-5 third and par-4 sixth, took her lone bogey of the day at 13 but answered with a birdie at 16.Nordqvist also shot 69 to stay one stroke off the pace. She also birdied the third, but endured back-to-back bogeys at 11 and 12 before closing with birdies at 16, the par-3 17th and the par-5 18th to stay on Pressels heels.It was another two strokes back to a third-place pack on 138 that included Dutchwoman Christel Boeljon, Scotlands Catriona Matthew, Swedens Pernilla Lindberg and Americans Gerina Piller and Kelly Shon.South Korean Yoo Sun-Young and Americans Kim Kaufman and Marissa Steen shared eighth on 139.

Tennis: US legend Hart, career Slam winner, dead at 89

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NEWPORT (AFP) - Doris Hart, a 1950s tennis star who became the second woman to complete a career Grand Slam, has died at age 89, the International Tennis Hall of Fame announced Saturday.Hart, rated the worlds top womens tennis player in 1951, died at her home in Coral Gables, Florida. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.Hart became the first player in tennis history to complete a career boxed set, triumphs in all four Grand Slam events in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.The only other players to achieve the feat, men or women, are Margaret Court Smith and Martina Navratilova.Hart won six Grand Slam singles titles, including the 1949 Australian crown, the 1950 and 1952 French championships and the 1954 and 1955 US titles as well as enjoying one of the greatest single days in Wimbledon history in taking the 1951 title.Because of rain delays, Hart won the womens singles and doubles and mixed 1951 doubles crowns all on the same day, dropping only one set in the effort. She also swept three trophies in France in 1952 and the US in 1954.Hart also lost in 12 Grand Slam singles finals between 1946 and 1953.From 1946 to 1955 she was never lower than fourth in the world rankings of the era as she won 325 career tournament titles, 35 of them Grand Slams.Hart captured 14 womens doubles Grand Slam titles, five in France and four each at the US and Wimbledon, and 15 mixed doubles Grand Slam trophies, including five in a row from 1951-1955 at the US and Wimbledon.Hart won 11 major doubles crowns with Hall of Famer Shirley Fry-Irvin, including four in a row at Roland Garros from 1950-1953 in a run in which they dropped only one set.Eight of her mixed doubles titles were won alongside Australian Frank Sedgman and seven were won with fellow American Vic Seixas.

KP Local Body Elections' successful candidates rejoice over results

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PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – As results of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) local body elections were announced on Friday, successful candidates rejoiced on their victories These candidates came out on the streets as soon as the results were announced. Some distributed sweets while rallies were also held. Fireworks charged up the environment even more.Even the supporters of victorious candidates rejoiced completely on the success of their nominated candidate. They danced to the beat of the drums, showered their candidate with petals and chanted slogans.Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) candidates win in Dera Ismail Khan was celebrated while supporters of both Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) held motorcycle rallies to celebrate victories of their candidates.

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Posted by IMRAN ALI SOOMRO (DARVESH) at 5/31/2015 07:38:00 AM , 0 comments

Saturday, May 30, 2015

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Oil prices jump on US tightening, Saudi mosque attack

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Crude prices jumped more than $2.00 Friday amid more signs of US tightening and after another deadly attack on Shiites claimed by Islamic State in the heart of Saudi Arabias oil industry.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for July delivery rose $2.62 to $60.30 a barrel in New York trade.In London, Brent crude for July gained $2.98 to $65.56.The second bomb attack in a week on a Saudi mosque in the countrys oil-rich Eastern Province help spark the price gains.The attack, which killed three, took place in Dammam, just a few kilometers from both the headquarters of Aramco, the powerful Saudi state oil company, and the crucial Ras Tanura oil terminal and refinery.US prices were supported by a fall in the Baker Hughes US rig count, suggesting the industry is still cutting back activity.The US count fell by 13 to 646 active oil drilling rigs. A year ago, the total was 1,536.That combined with a fall Wednesday in US stockpiles to suggest tighter supplies in the future.There was some expectation and some anxiety that the rig count could come out as a positive number today, said Bob Yawger of Mizuho Securities.Instead it was down 13. We havent seen a number that big in a couple of weeks, he said.

Germany warns Ukraine truce turning 'very fragile'

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KIEV (AFP) - Germanys foreign minister warned Friday that the situation in Ukraines separatist east was turning very fragile and required all sides to refocus their efforts on salvaging a three-month truce.Frank-Walter Steinmeier flew into Kiev just days before Ukraines Western-backed President Petro Poroshenkos peace envoy meets pro-Russian rebel negotiators in Minsk, Belarus in a desperate bid to keep all-out warfare from resuming on the European Unions eastern frontier.In February a ceasefire agreement was reached in Minsk during marathon talks between the leaders of Germany and France, Poroshenko and Russias Vladimir Putin. It marked the sides second attempt at halting a 13-month war that has killed 6,300 and plunged East-West relations to a post-Cold War low.The truce succeeded in containing the fighting but failed to put an end to daily clashes around some of the most disputed hotspots.We can see that the ceasefire today is very fragile, and this causes some alarms, Steinmeier told reporters after talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.There are a lot of ceasefire violations, he said through his Ukrainian translator. Now, we have to think and find a way to turn this into a more stable situation.But a Friday phone call between Putin and the German and French heads of state appeared only to highlight the sharp differences Moscow still has with the West over what the future of the ex-Soviet nation should hold.Russias emphatic denial of direct involvement in the war has stymied repeated Western attempts to establish an open dialogue with Putin that could calm security fears across eastern Europe and nudge Ukraine out of political and economic crisis.The Kremlin said Putin pointed out to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande that attacks by Ukrainian security forces on civilian targets that kill peaceful residents were becoming more frequent.Hollandes office in turn said that he and Merkel stressed to Putin the need for rapid progress in the implementation of all the measures adopted in Minsk.Battle for government portThe worst fighting has most recently gripped the eastern outskirts of the strategic pro-Kiev port of Mariupol and the Donetsk International Airport -- captured by the insurgents after months of attacks at the start of the year.An AFP team saw government forces stationed about three kilometres (two miles) from the devastated transit hub come under heavy rocket-propelled grenade attack on Thursday evening.The Ukrainian forces responded with their own heavy weapons fire and the clashes raged through the night and into Friday morning.Kiev on Friday reported the death of one Ukrainian soldier and a volunteer who supported the government troops.The likelihood that military activities will intensify is high, Ukrainian Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak said.They are lyingYatsenyuk on Friday openly derided Russias attempts to pin the latest violence on the pro-European team that rose to power in Kiev after the bloody ouster of Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014.Russia is categorically refusing to allow Ukraine to restore control over its national border, Yatsenyuk said after his talks with Steinmeier.Russias (claim) that Ukraine and the West are supposedly failing to fulfil the Minsk agreements are completely groundless, said Yatsenyuk.They are lying -- just like they always do.Ukraine this month captured two fighters in the east who identified themselves as active members of the Russian armed forces. Both reported performing a special reconnaissance mission ordered by their commanders.Putin argues that Russians fighting alongside the Ukrainian militants are either volunteers or off-duty soldiers who personally decided to join the war.

Crisis-hit Burundi says elections will go ahead

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BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AFP) - Burundis government insisted Friday that the first stage of controversial elections will go ahead next week despite the central African nations ongoing political crisis.Interior Minister Edouard Nduwimana said that even after the withdrawal of support from the influential Catholic Church and the European Union, parliamentary polls will take place next Friday.There isnt any electoral process that doesnt suffer from problems, in Burundi or any other country. We regret that certain partners have pulled out of the process... but despite this the elections will go ahead in good condition, he told AFP.That the EU withdraws and that the Church withdraws its priests does not mean the elections should not take place. The Burundian people are thirsty for these elections and we need to do everything so they take place in good conditions, he added.Burundis crisis erupted over President Pierre Nkurunzizas bid for a third term in office, with opposition and rights groups saying the move violates the constitution as well as the terms of a peace deal that ended a 13-year civil war in 2006.Burundis capital has been hit by weeks of civil unrest which has left at least 30 dead in a major security crackdown, and the crisis intensified earlier this month when a top general staged a failed coup attempt -- increasing fears that the impoverished, landlocked country could be plunged back into widespread violence.Parliamentary elections are due to be held on June 5, with a presidential poll scheduled for June 26.On Thursday, Burundis Catholic Church said it could not support the upcoming polls and that priests who serve in electoral commissions across the country would step down.The opposition has also said the holding of free and fair elections is impossible, with independent media silenced and allegations of threats and intimidation by Nkurunzizas supporters.Weekend summit plannedDemonstrations against Nkurunziza meanwhile continued on Friday, with two more protesters shot dead.One protester was shot dead by police in a district in the north of the capital, residents said, while a grenade explosion wounded two people in the city centre.Another person was shot dead and several others wounded when police opened fire to disperse a protest in Mukike, a commune outside the capital, a local official told AFP.Human Rights Watch accused Burundian security forces of using excessive force.The Burundian authorities should call a halt to the crackdown on peaceful opponents and critics, said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at HRW.They should order the police to stop using excessive deadly force, investigate the deaths and beatings of protesters at the hands of police, and hold those responsible for excessive force to account.Burundis Red Cross said they were treating a 12-year-old girl who had been raped, with local residents accusing a member of the police. The Red Cross also said it had received complaints of at least four other rapes in Musaga, a district of the capital that has been at the centre of the protest movement.According to HRW, Burundi has been gripped by pervasive fear.Medical personnel, journalists, and human rights defenders have received death threats and menacing phone calls, and been intimidated and harassed by the authorities. Many of those who were threatened have gone into hiding or fled the country, the group said.Regional heads of state are due to meet again on Sunday in the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam to discuss Burundis crisis but it is unclear whether Nkurunziza will attend.The last time the president left the country, for the previous regional summit on May 13, some members of the armed forces tried to overthrow him, launching an ultimately unsuccessful coup attempt.Neighbouring Tanzania, which has been openly critical of Nkurunziza, called on Burundis government to listen to its people.Our position is that we call on the Burundian people to remain calm and we urged the government to listen to them, Tanzanias foreign minister, Bernard Membe, told state-run TBC1 television.United Nations special envoy Said Djinnit meanwhile said talks between the government and opposition had made progress on several issues -- including the reopening of independent media and the release of detainees -- but not on the key issue of a halt to protests in return for Nkurunzizas agreement not to stand again.He said both sides have agreed to resume their talks after the summit in Dar es Salaam.

Live anthrax sent to Australia: US officials

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US authorities investigating the mistaken shipment of live anthrax by a military lab have discovered another batch of the lethal bacteria dating back to 2008, some of which was sent to Australia, officials said Friday.The revelation suggested a wider problem in the handling of anthrax samples that were supposed to be rendered inactive by irradiation at a US Army facility in Utah.Military and health officials launched a probe after a commercial lab in Maryland last week found a live sample of anthrax in a shipment from the armys Dugway Proving Ground, near Salt Lake City.The Pentagon acknowledged on Thursday that at least 18 government, university and commercial laboratories received suspected live samples of anthrax from a batch irradiated in March 2014.Samples from that batch were distributed to various labs for research in nine states as well as at the US militarys Osan air base in South Korea.But on Friday, officials said the investigation turned up another batch of live anthrax, which was meant to be made inactive or dead in 2008.It was not clear precisely when samples from the 2008 batch were sent out or where the samples were sent to -- apart from Australia, officials said.We are still trying to figure out where the samples were sent, a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity told AFP.US military and health authorities insisted there was no threat posed to public health and no suspected cases of infection.Four lab workers in the sates of Texas, Delaware and Wisconsin had been put on antibiotics as a precaution, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).In addition, 22 military and civilian personnel were also placed under preventative treatment at Osan air base in South Korea, the Pentagon said.Lawmakers earlier voiced alarm over the mishap involving the 2014 batch of anthrax, and demanded army officials explain what went wrong.While the Army says it is confident no one has been harmed, it needs to tell us what is being done immediately to prevent this from happening again, Senator Bill Nelson said in a letter to Army secretary John McHugh.

US stocks sag as consumer confidence slips

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NEW YORK (AFP) - US stocks fell modestly Friday as a key consumer confidence measure came in lower and the government confirmed that the economy contracted in the first quarter.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 115.44 points (0.64 percent) to 18,010.68.The broad-based S&P 500 shed 13.40 points (0.63 percent) at 2,107.39, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index fell 27.95 (0.55 percent) at 5,070.03.Analysts said there was some disappointment with the economic news released Friday. The revised GDP figure for the first quarter, showing a 0.7 percent contraction, was not a surprise.But perceptions of a rebound in growth since then were tempered by a fall in the May Chicago regional business activity index, into negative territory, and a sharp fall in the University of Michigans consumer confidence index to 90.7 from 95.9 in April.The market was also being cautious going into the weekend with no deal in sight in Greeces crunch bailout talks with official creditors.The consumer confidence and the Chicago PMI plunged a bit, and I think this is about Greece, said Peter Cardillo of Rockwell Global Capital.The fact that (IMF chief Christine) Lagarde yesterday indicated that there is the potential for Greece leaving the eurozone, thats on the mind on investors and ahead of the weekend, this is causing this decline.Market action focused on Intel and Altera after a media report said Intels bid for its chip-making rival is still alive. In April it was believed Altera rejected an offer reported as just above $50 a share.Altera shares surged 4.0 percent to $48.85, while Intel was up 1.5 percent at $34.51.Speculation on that deal came after Thursdays announcement that telecommunications chip specialist Broadcom would be acquired by Singapore-based Avago Technologies for $37 billion.Otherwise losses came across the board, with Alibaba falling 1.8 percent, and AB InBev and Novartis both falling 1.5 percent.Drug producer Merck bucked the trend with a 2.0 percent gain, after it announced it would partner with Amgen in work on developing two cancer drugs. Amgen shares lost 0.7 percent.Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury fell to 2.10 percent from 2.13 percent Thursday, while the 30-year dropped to 2.85 percent from 2.89 percent. Bond prices and yields move inversely.

Colombian govt, FARC rebels begin clearing landmines

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HAVANA (AFP) - The Colombian government and FARC guerrillas have begun working together on clearing the countrys landmines, officials said Friday, but their peace talks remain fragile amid a surge in fighting.FARC members and an army battalion carried out a preliminary seven-day mission to locate anti-personnel mines in the northern department of Antioquia, said officials from Cuba and Norway, the countries facilitating the talks.The pilot mission is the first step in a March agreement between the government and the Marxist guerrillas to disable all mines placed during half a century of civil war.This is a hopeful gesture for peace in Colombia, said FARC commander and peace negotiator Pastor Alape at the talks in Havana.The goal of the preliminary mission was to gather information to identify the areas that are really contaminated with mines, said Cuban diplomat Rodolfo Benitez.Subsequent missions will remove and destroy the mines, officials said.Colombia has the second highest number of landmine casualties in the world after Afghanistan.Since 1990, mines have killed more than 2,000 people and wounded more than 9,000.But while the joint mine clearing initiative has been broadly welcomed as a sign of progress at the peace talks, tensions have soared since the FARC killed 11 soldiers in an ambush last month, despite having declared a unilateral ceasefire in December.They defended the attack as a defensive action against an army siege, but President Juan Manuel Santos ordered the resumption of air strikes on FARC positions, which he had suspended in recognition of their ceasefire.Some 40 FARC fighters have been killed in air and ground strikes since last week, including two high-ranking commanders.The FARC in turn killed three soldiers in clashes this week in the oil fields of the Arauca department, near the Venezuelan border.Analyst Ariel Avila of Colombias Peace and Reconciliation Foundation said he fears an unstoppable spiral of violence in the coming weeks, jeopardizing the peace talks opened in November 2012.The risk for the peace process is very high, he said.Previous efforts to negotiate a peace deal have all been derailed by fighting on the ground.The new violence comes as Santos prepares to head to Brussels for the European Unions annual summit with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.Santos, who won a new term last year in elections seen as a referendum on the peace process, will be in an awkward position with the EU, which has condemned the increase in hostilities.Santoss plans to look like the great peacemaker are going to be a little rattled, said a European diplomat in Bogota.The peace talks in Cuba have reached partial deals on several issues but have yet to yield a final accord.The Colombian conflict has killed more than 200,000 people and uprooted more than six million since the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia launched its guerrilla war in 1964.

US demands immediate halt to South China Sea reclamations

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SINGAPORE (AFP) - The United States on Saturday called for an immediate and lasting halt to reclamation works in disputed waters in the South China Sea, saying Chinas behaviour in the area was out of step with international norms.First, we want a peaceful resolution of all disputes. To that end, there should be an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by all claimants, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told a high-level security conference in Singapore.We also oppose any further militarisation of disputed features, he said, stressing that US forces would continue entering what he called international waters in the South China Sea.Carter added that with its actions in the South China Sea, China is out of step with both the international rules and norms.He acknowledged that other claimants have developed outposts of differing scope and degree, including Vietnam with 48 outposts, the Philippines with eight, Malaysia with five and Taiwan with one.Yet, one country has gone much farther and much faster than any other.And thats China. China has reclaimed over 2,000 acres, more than all other claimants combined and more than in the entire history of the region. And China did so in only the last 18 months, Carter said.It is unclear how much farther China will go. That is why this stretch of water has become the source of tension in the region and front-page news around the world.

Defiant Blatter wins FIFA vote amid corruption storm

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ZURICH (AFP) - Sepp Blatter won a fifth term as FIFA president on Friday in a dramatic end to an angry campaign dominated by a corruption storm that engulfed the leadership of world football.His challenger Prince Ali bin al Hussein withdrew from the race after preventing Blatter from getting the required majority in the first round of voting.Blatter, who had defied calls to resign, raised his arms in triumph and promised the congress to be the commander who guides this boat FIFA out of the corruption turmoil it has sunk into.Im not perfect. Nobody is perfect. But we will do a good job together, he said.The 79-year-old Blatter also indicated he would not stand again, saying he would hand over a strong FIFA to my successor in four years.The end of the campaign was overshadowed by the arrest in Zurich on Wednesday of seven FIFA officials, including two vice presidents, accused by US authorities of taking tens of millions of dollars in bribes.A top US federal investigator said he was fairly confident there would be another round of indictments in the case, the New York Times reported Friday.We strongly believe there are other people and entities involved in criminal acts, said Richard Weber, leader of the US Internal Revenue Service criminal investigations unit. He would not identify the remaining targets or say if they included Blatter.Swiss police are also investigating the award of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar which have also been surrounded by corruption allegations.Blatter fell seven votes short of the two thirds majority to win in the first round. He got 133 votes to Prince Alis 73.The brother of Jordans king got further than any challenger to Blatter, highlighting divisions within the scandal-tainted body he will struggle to overcome.The prince thanked those brave enough to vote for him before announcing he was pulling out.In a final plea for votes, Blatter vowed to lead FIFA out of the corruption controversy if reelected.Morally bankruptI promise a strong FIFA, I want to climb back up the hill, arrange FIFAs situation. I want a beautiful, robust FIFA, out of the storm, he said.Prince Ali promised transparency and to restore respect.We have heard questions raised about whether our family is morally bankrupt, the prince said in his final campaign address.Most of Europes 53 votes went to Prince Ali, along with the United States and Australia. But Blatters rockbed support in Africa and Asia saw him through.Blatter questioned the timing of the Zurich arrests, declaring: People say it was a coincidence. But I have a small question mark.Blatter said the arrests had unleashed a storm. But he repeated his case that he cannot monitor football affairs alone and calling for greater action by regional confederations and national associations.Blatter scored one victory when the Palestinian Football Association withdrew a motion to expel Israel from FIFA because of restrictions on Palestinian teams.But his victory was met with new hostility from the football leaders who have opposed him in the past six months.On Thursday, he rejected an appeal by UEFAs president Michel Platini to resign because of the scandals that the European football leader said has critically tarnished FIFAs image.Platini was among those to express disappointment at the result and praise Prince Alis campaign.I am proud that UEFA has defended and supported a movement for change at FIFA. Change which in my opinion is crucial if this organisation is to regain its credibility, he said.Platini said UEFA could discuss measures against FIFA on June 6.This vote has only served to endorse the election of a man who cant remain in charge of world football, said Luis Figo, the former Portuguese star who was a candidate in the race until last week.Theres no way someone can lead FIFA ignoring the most elementary rules of transparency, legality and democracy, Figo added.Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy said he was disappointed but hoped Blatter would work to restore the bodys reputation.We will continue to push for meaningful change within FIFA, commented US Soccer president Sunil Gulati.Blatter has remained defiant as governments joined sponsors in crying foul over FIFAs corruption scandal.British Prime Minister David Cameron has backed calls for Blatter to resign while French President Francois Hollande said sports groups running major events must be irreproachable.German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that if world football cannot clear up poisonous corruption, government agencies would be forced to step in.Sponsors angerAfter Blatters re-election, FIFA sponsors Coca-Cola, Budweiser and McDonalds called for quick moves to transparency.Credit card giant Visa has threatened to reassess its sponsorship if FIFA does not clean up its act.South Koreas Hyundai Motor, a major sponsor of FIFA, has also said it was extremely concerned at the new scandals.United Nations says it is reviewing its cooperation accords with FIFA.The seven arrested football officials -- including FIFA vice presidents Jeffrey Webb and Eugenio Figueredo -- remained in custody Friday. Six have indicated they will fight extradition to the United States, Swiss authorities said.

China deployed artillery in S.China Sea: US officials

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - China recently deployed two artillery pieces on one of its artificial islands in the South China Sea, an unprecedented move that suggests Beijing is trying to extend its military reach in the contested waters, US officials said Friday.The heavy weapons, since removed, posed no security threat but their positioning -- within range of territory claimed by Vietnam -- underscored Washingtons concerns that China is pursuing a massive island-building project for military purposes, officials said.The two motorized artillery pieces were spotted on a manmade feature about a month ago in the Spratly Islands region, a defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP, citing surveillance imagery.It is the first time that China has been accused of deploying artillery or other weaponry on their manmade islands in the area.We can confirm we have identified some weapons on one of these reclaimed Chinese islands, Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven Warren told reporters.The militarization of these islands is something were opposed to.China and the United States have been engaged in an escalating war of words over the South China Sea, where Beijing has rapidly built up reefs over about 2,000 acres (800 hectares) -- including 1,500 acres just since January.The construction includes outposts that could be used for surveillance systems, harbors, an airfield and logistics support, according to a recent Pentagon report on Chinas military.On Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, who is on a 10-day tour of Asia, said Washington wanted a peaceful resolution of all disputes and an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by any claimant.Beijing out of stepThe United States has insisted the areas claimed by China are international waters and airspace, and has sent out surveillance planes and naval ships to drive home the point.The Pentagon chief, speaking in Hawaii, also said there should be no mistake: The United States will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, as we do all around the world.Beijings actions in the South China Sea are out of step with both international norms and the regional consensus that opposes coercive methods to resolve territorial disputes, Carter said.Chinas actions were bringing neighboring countries closer and prompting increasing demand for American engagement in the region, he added.Last week the Chinese military ordered a US Navy P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft to leave an area above the heavily disputed Spratly Islands. But the American plane ignored the demand and stated it was flying in what US officials deem to be international airspace.Beijing has defended its dredging work in the contested waters and accused Washington of singling out China over an activity that other countries in the region are also engaged in.China insists it has sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, a major global shipping route which is believed to be home to a wealth of oil and gas reserves.The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also claim parts of the sea.Tensions in the South China Sea will likely dominate the Shangri-La Dialogue this week in Singapore, a major annual security conference that gathers defense ministers and top brass from across Asia. Carter is due to deliver a speech at the conference.

Iran, US eye 'intense' month to seal historic deal

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US top diplomat John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart Saturday launch a new high-stakes diplomatic drive to nail down an unprecedented nuclear deal as they hurtle towards a deadline just one month away.US officials warned the weeks leading to June 30 would be intense, vowing to keep the pressure on to force the Iranians and everyone at the table to make the tough decisions needed to end a 12-year standoff and put a nuclear bomb beyond Irans reach.Sealing a long-elusive deal with the Islamic republic could prove President Barack Obamas lasting foreign policy achievement.But after three decades of enmity, it may also pave the way towards better ties between Washington and the Shiite regional power, bringing Iran back into the international fold and creating fresh impetus to resolve a host of conflicts grown ever more perilous in the Middle East.Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will meet once again in the Swiss city of Geneva, as the United States with its partners -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- seek to finalize the complex pact.After an interim accord hammered out in the Swiss city in November 2013, the United States and Iran are grappling with the final details of the ground-breaking agreement which would see Iran curtail its nuclear ambitions in return for a lifting of a web of international sanctions.Time running outThe two diplomats are due to meet Saturday, but US officials did not rule out that the talks could stretch into a second day as the clock ticks down to the deadline.After eight days of emotional, tough talks in Lausanne, the delegations unveiled on April 2 a framework to guide the last stretch of negotiations, with Iran agreeing to rein in and mothball large sections of its nuclear program.But differences remain, while both the United States and Iran are under immense pressure from hardliners at home.We have a month left. I do think youll see it escalate at the political level, a senior State Department official told reporters Friday, saying Kerry wanted to meet with Zarif to discuss the really tough sticking issues.June is going to be a pretty intense month both at the expert level and the secretarys level, but I think we definitely still believe we can do it.Since the April 2 accord, technical experts have been meeting quietly behind the scenes to overcome the remaining issues. But many of the decisions now need to be made at a political level.The US official said that the accord would have multiple annexes perhaps as many as three or more, which are already being drafted.And despite rumblings from both Iranian and French officials that the talks may drag on beyond June 30, US officials insisted that was not on the table.Weve been very clear that we are not contemplating an extension at this point. June 30th is a real date, the State Department official said.SnapbackSeveral sticking points still remain, including the possible military dimensions of the Iranian program and the demands by the P51 group for rigorous inspections of Irans nuclear sites.Iran also is demanding an accelerated lifting of US, EU and UN sanctions, while the P51 group wants a snapback mechanism to be put in place enabling the measures to be quickly reimposed if Tehran breaks the deal.Kerry will stress to Zarif the importance of granting access for inspections, a western diplomat said.Its one of the key legs of the stool. Its not the only leg, but if it is not included then the stool will fall over.Yukiya Amano, the head of the UNs atomic watchdog, told AFP this week that Iran had agreed to implementing the Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that allows for snap inspections.When we find inconsistency or when we have doubts, we can request access to the undeclared location for example, and this could include military sites, he said.

Greece, growth worries keep cap on Wall Street

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Another volatile week marked by distrust over the US growth rebound and Greeces debt talks prevented US markets from locking in recent record highs.Tech stocks brooked most of the selling pressure, with the Nasdaq Composite scoring a fresh record Wednesday, but investors mostly saw more to worry about than reason to push ahead.That included a mix of economic data -- strengthening in the housing market but weaker consumer sentiment and a downturn in business activity in the Chicago area -- that failed to show a clear break with the 0.7 percent economic contraction of the first quarter.In addition, after repeated hints and then denials that a deal between Greece and its troika creditors on new financing was near, the market week ended without a pact to give Athens more funding that would allow it to service its debts.Many took to heart the remark by International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde that an exit by Greece from the eurozone is a potential. That carried with it the implied default on payments owed to the IMF and European Central Bank, and more turmoil for the euro.The fact that Lagarde yesterday indicated that there is the potential for Greece leaving the eurozone, thats on the mind on investors, and ahead of the weekend, this is causing this decline, said Peter Cardillo of Rockwell Global Capital.For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.21 percent to 18,010.68 points.The broader S&P 500 slipped 0.88 percent to 2,107.39. And the Nasdaq, which closed at a record 5,106.59 on Wednesday, also completed the holiday-shortened week down, giving up 0.38 percent to 5,070.03.Even so, at those levels, stocks were still within sight of their record highs.Wall Street showed its enthusiasm for more giant mergers during the week: Charter Communications $78.7 billion deal to buy Time Warner Cable, and chipmaker Avago Technologies $37 billion takeover of Broadcom, the largest tech sector deal since the dot-com boom.Confidence nibbled intoBut the economic data and Greece worries overrode that fervor.The week started on an optimistic note... but the data over the course of the week has really nibbled into that confidence, said Chris Low of FTN Financial.After the first quarter contraction, he said, its difficult to believe in a rebound when we continue to see weakness in April and May.A slew of fresh data on May coming out in the next week, including the jobs report and auto sales, could change that view if the numbers come in good.Tom Cahill of Ventura Wealth Management said the possibility that Greece would not strike a deal with official creditors for more funding and would default on its debt keeps investors on edge.Last time there was concern about Greece, it was problematic for the US stock market, he said.But Cahill also added that Wall Street shares are priced on the high side now, and earnings growth has slowed.The US has had a good run since 2009. Valuations are probably on the higher side of fair value, if not slightly overvalued.But he added that the ability of investors to shift from one market to another keeps some of the froth off of US stocks.As global investors, the lifeblood of a bull market is that we can look from one market to the next. The US market seems to be getting better and stabilizing, so thats good.

Yen's slide continues; euro edges higher vs dollar

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The yen slid to a fresh 12-year low against the dollar Friday as growth in the two major economies continued to diverge.The euro meanwhile edged higher against the greenback amid fresh pressure from the G7 on Greece and official creditors to reach a new financing deal before the country defaults on its debt.The dollar rose past 124 yen, with the Japanese currency pushed downward by a flat inflation reading and falling household spending in April and economists warnings that the Japanese economy will have a weak second quarter.The dollar remained in a narrow range for the euro, but showed more strength against the British currency, pushing to $1.5287 per pound, the greenbacks best level in three weeks.The dollar is king for May, and we believe that it can last into June, although gains may not be as broad-based as this month, said Kathleen Brooks at Forex.com.However, it may struggle vs the euro if we get a last minute Greece deal, she said.2100 GMT Friday ThursdayEUR/USD 1.0991 1.0947EUR/JPY 136.42 135.70EUR/CHF 1.0329 1.0335EUR/GBP 0.7190 0.7149USD/JPY 124.12 123.96USD/CHF 0.9398 0.9441GBP/USD 1.5287 1.5313

Russia releases 89-name EU travel blacklist

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THE HAGUE (AFP) - Moscow has released a blacklist of European Union politicians barred from Russia in response to EU sanctions over Crimea and Ukraine, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Friday.Russia yesterday handed over a list of people to diverse EU embassies who may not enter Russia any longer, Rutte said at a weekly press conference, adding that two Dutch MPs and a Dutch MEP were on the list.The list contains 89 names, according to a letter from Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders tweeted by Belgian MEP Mark Demesmaeker.The letter, which was confirmed as authentic by the Dutch foreign ministry to AFP, said Moscow had asked for the list not to be made public.Moscow drew up the list in response to the EUs own sanctions and travel bans over Russias annexation of Crimea last year and its alleged involvement in the eastern Ukraine conflict, Rutte said.A spokeswoman for the EU diplomatic service in Brussels told AFP that Russia had barred several European politicians from entry in recent months, but had so far refused to provide a list of those targeted.We take note that the Russian authorities have decided to share the list. We dont have any other information on legal basis, criteria and process, the spokeswoman said in an email statement.Guy Verhofstadt, head of the Liberal group in the European Parliament and a former Belgian PM, is also on the list, his spokesman Jeroen Reijnen told AFP.Verhofstadt is banned from entry to Russia. He is on a blacklist with around 80 people, Reijnen said, saying the ban came after Verhofstadt called for an independent international probe into the murder of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.Swedens foreign ministry confirmed eight of its nationals were also on the list, but did not reveal any names.It is very striking behaviour which unfortunately does not improve Russias image and we have asked for a clarification for this conduct, Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstroem was quoted as saying by news agency TT.Finnish public broadcaster YLE said Green Party MEP Heidi Hautala had also been blacklisted.Right to knowRutte meanwhile said the Dutch government rejected Russias action and would let Moscow know so in no uncertain terms.The list was not based on international law, was not transparent and could not be challenged in a court of law, he added.Berlin demanded that Moscow make the list public as well as how to contest it.The (German) government expects the Russian authorities to publish any barred list as well as the judicial means of contesting it, the German foreign ministry said in a statement.The people on this list must immediately know about it. They have the right to know the reasons and appeal, Berlin said.Moscow on Sunday turned back German MP Karl-Georg Wellmann, who has strong links to Ukraine, from Moscow airport, despite his having been invited to take part in political discussions.The Russian authorities put him back on a plane for Berlin and slapped an entry ban on him until 2019, German media reported.In Wellmanns case, the German government will demand transparency and legal rights for each comparable case, Berlin said on Friday.Russian deputy foreign minister Alexei Meshkov said on Wednesday that Moscow could think about making the names of those barred known in the wake of the Wellmann incident.We feel that our policy aimed at protecting the personal information of those on the list of those barred from entering Russia is better than that of our Western partners of shouting names from the rooftops, he said, according to Russian news agencies.Anyone who thought they might be barred from entry could go to a Russian embassy to find out, he said.Russias ambassador to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov said last week that no one is (barred) by chance but that the list did not include leaders or high officials.Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly denies backing the insurgency in eastern Ukraine that erupted after a pro-Kremlin president was ousted in February 2014. The fighting has killed more than 6,300 people so far.The Kremlin hopes a current shaky ceasefire will prompt the European Union to lift some of the more punishing sanctions against Russia in the next few months.

Thousands gather for opening of World Trade Center deck

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Thousands gathered Friday to take in the New York skyline as the observation deck of the new World Trade Center -- viewed by many as a symbol of the citys resilience -- opened to the public.The gleaming glass tower, constructed on the site where the Twin Towers stood before being destroyed in the September 11 attacks of 2001, is the tallest building in the Western hemisphere.Following an early morning ribbon cutting, visitors thronged the observatory, which offers spectacular views of the city from the towers 100th, 101st and 102nd floors.Operators expect between three and four million visitors a year, who will be able to take in the 360-degree panorama from a dizzying 1,250 feet (380 meters).The World Trade Center, also known as Freedom Tower, welcomed its first tenants last year, but the general public was only allowed its first in-person glimpse following the ribbon cutting.The observatory affords stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge and neighboring New Jersey.On a clear day, visitors are able to see for 50 miles (80 kilometers).Floor-to-ceiling LED technology provides visitors with a virtual time-lapse that recreates the development of the citys skyline from the 1600s to present day.Historic dayOutside the entrance, in the late morning, US Army veteran Michael Lanza posed for a photo with a large American flag.This is a sign of American resiliency, that no matter what evil storms on us, we will always come back, we will always be victorious, the 32-year-old said.It is important because I am a veteran. I served in the Army for three years, I love my country, he added.One of the first visitors to descend from the observation deck, Jim Vermeer, said the views were majestic.They dont want to dwell on the past, they want to dwell on the future and American perseverance, said the Iowa native, who was in New York celebrating his 35th wedding anniversary.Suzanne Goldstein of California, who said she comes to New York twice a year, was also there for opening day, having watched the new structure being built from the very beginning.At the entrance to the observatory, visitors passed through tough security measures similar to those at airports.The observatory will be open seven days a week, with a basic admission price of $32 for adults.

Football: History on the agenda as Arsenal aim to retain FA Cup

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LONDON (AFP) - Holders Arsenal face Aston Villa in the FA Cup final on Saturday with a pair of historic landmarks driving the Gunners in their bid to retain the famous old trophy.A victory over Villa at Wembley would make Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger the first post-war manager to win the FA Cup six times, taking him ahead of Alex Ferguson and level with George Ramsay -- the only boss to have won six FA Cups, with his last coming in charge of Villa in 1920.There would also be a significant slice of history for Wengers club if they see off Villa as it would make them the most successful team in the history of the competition with 12 Cup-winning campaigns.Arsenal will go into the match as favourites after routing Villa 3-0 and 5-0 in their two Premier League encounters and finishing 14 places above them this season.But those defeats came before Tim Sherwood replaced Paul Lambert as manager in February and sparked a revival that pulled Villa clear of the relegation zone and into their first FA Cup final since 2000.Key to Arsenals hopes of becoming the first team to retain the FA Cup since Chelsea in 2010 is the form of Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who scored the extra-time winner in last years final against Hull.Dynamic forceRamseys lung-bursting runs, eye for a defence-splitting pass and clinical finishing combine to make him such a dynamic force that Spanish champions Barcelona are reportedly considering a bid to buy him.But Ramsey refuses to be distracted by transfer talk, saying: Thats just something thats been written in the papers. Im focused on Arsenal and winning the FA Cup.If we can win the Cup that will be two trophies in two years so hopefully we can just keep that run of winning things going.Back-to-back finals are not an easy thing to achieve. In the second half of the season we have shown the form that we need throughout the season to win this league.If we can just show that consistency throughout the season then well be challenging for the Premier League, and thats what well be looking to do next year.Buoyed by Sherwoods bubbly personality and their late-season improvement, Villa believe they can end their 58-year wait to win the FA Cup if they produce the kind of effervescent display that vanquished Liverpool in the semi-finals.If they do take the trophy back to Villa Park, it is a safe bet 19-year-old midfielder Jack Grealish will have played a starring role.Grealish has burst onto the scene in the last few weeks with some vibrant displays in midfield and Sherwood expects another influential effort against Arsenal.He has coped with the pressure up until now, when he is asked to step up he has ticked the boxes, Sherwood said.The bigger the stage the better hes been and there isnt any bigger stage than this one.He is great, he loves playing. I dont think he gets nervous. He doesnt look the type. Hes a terrific player and were happy hes on our side.

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Posted by IMRAN ALI SOOMRO (DARVESH) at 5/30/2015 07:43:00 AM , 0 comments
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