Dunya TV
Dunya TV |
- Lahore braces for PTIs public rally today
- Secretary ECP discusses security issues with military officials
- Musharraf confirms return to Pakistan despite 'peril'
- Myanmar imposes emergency rule as death toll hits 20
- Netanyahu apologises to Turkey for flotilla raid
- 2 Italian marines return to India to face trial
- Bangladesh tornado kills 20, injures 100
- New US commander takes charge of Mideast forces
- Pakistan Day is being celebrated today
- 23 killed as coach turned turtle in Sheikhupura
- Injured Azarenka out, Ferrer advances at Miami
- Ruthless England beat San Marino 8-0
- Amir Khan ready for Garcia rematch
- Raikkonen fastest after second Malaysian practice
- Tennis: Court One roof remains in Wimbledon plans
| Lahore braces for PTIs public rally today Posted: LAHORE (Online): Lahore city wears a festive look, as it braces for PTI’s public meeting at Minar-e-Pakistan today, to be addressed by its chairman Imran Khan. All the main roads have been covered with banners, posters and welcome desks, while special squad of vehicles arranged by PTI Lahore remained busy in making announcements to invite people for this mega event. Delegations from Sindh and other provinces also arrived for their participation, while president PTI Lahore Abdul Aleem Khan along with main leadership visited the site at Minar-e-Pakistan and remained there for couple of hours to give a final touch to the arrangements for the public meeting. The PTI President, Abdul Aleem Khan led a rally of party workers at Shalimar Town arranged by Mian Hameed Meraj; while addressing the event, Abdul Aleem Khan chided those ruling since last 30 years for losing their credibility.Resolving a definite change of PTI to take place at all costs, he warned that the ‘protectors’ of PTI would not allow any body to pressurize the electoral process on the polling booths as every voter would freely use its right. He said that this tsunami would be taking off from Minar-e-Pakistan, and would not stop till the change in the society and government; while also declaring that Metro Bus Service was now property and not owned by the ‘Sharif Brothers’ or “Ittefaq Group”, who could ever cease it today, as this tactic would not stop the people to come at Minar-e-Pakistan.He said that PTI Lahore has ensured maximum arrangements for 23rd March and it would be a record and remembering event in the political history of Pakistan that people in such a large number gather.Talking to media, Abdul Aleem Khan said that Imran Khan had become the symbol of change and rising popularity of Tehrik-e-Insaaf would end the shortcomings of last 65 years. Abdul Aleem Khan also visited a number of towns and held party meetings, there. He asked the office bearers of Towns to ensure discipline and patience with the maximum number of people to come at Minar-e-Pakistan.  |
| Secretary ECP discusses security issues with military officials Posted: RAWALPINDI (Online): Secretary Election Commission (ECP), Ishtiaq Ahmed, Friday, held another meeting with military authorities to discuss issues related to provision of security during the upcoming elections, says an ISPR press release issued here. Military authorities once again reassured the ECP that all possible assistance would be provided for peaceful conduct of elections.During the meeting held here at the General Headquarters, the Secretary of the Election Commission shared with military authorities initial details of sensitive areas polling stations entailing security. After due deliberations, it was decided to hold another meeting in the next couple of weeks after ECP has worked out all details of security requirement across the country to be able to evolve a comprehensive security plan.  |
| Musharraf confirms return to Pakistan despite 'peril' Posted: DUBAI (AFP) - Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf said Friday he would definitely return home Sunday to contest historic elections in May and that he was prepared to risk any danger to his life.He gave an interview with AFP in Dubai just hours after a Pakistani court granted him protective bail in a string of legal cases, paving the way for his return from nearly five years in exile without the risk of immediate arrest.He is wanted in Pakistan over the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in a gun and suicide attack after an election rally in Rawalpindi, the headquarters of the army, on December 27, 2007.Commentators say most of his powerbase has evaporated and that he will only be able to secure at the most a couple of seats for his All Pakistan Muslim League (APLM) party in the next national assembly.Two hundred percent I am travelling back on Sunday to Pakistan, he told AFP in Dubai, where he has divided his time with London.I will go by land, air or sea... even to the peril of my life this is the oath I took for the country.Musharraf seized power in a bloodless military coup when he was army chief of staff in 1999 and left the country after stepping down in August 2008, when Bhutto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari, was elected president.The outgoing government led by Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) always insisted that Musharraf would be arrested should be return to the country and last year he delayed a planned homecoming after being threatened with detention.Commentators believe that an interim government, set to guide the country during the election campaign, should be in place by Sunday.There will be no arrest or anything, Musharraf told AFP. I decided I will go back whatever the judgment (in court) but the judgment is favourable, he said.But political analysts said Musharraf would be disappointed if he thought he was capable of returning to power.He has no political future, Hasan Askari told AFP.He thinks that people are so annoyed by the outgoing government that they will join his party and support him, but it won't happen.Rasul Bakhsh Raees, who teaches political science at the Lahore University of Management Sciences, agreed.After an initial show in the media upon his arrival in Karachi, he will have nothing else to do. He has no future, he told AFP.I think he will have good time with his buddies, play golf and drink together with them in the future but he won't have any political activity.To preclude the prospect of his arrest on arrival, his daughter, Ayla Raza, petitioned a court in Karachi on his behalf for protective bail in three cases, including the 2007 assassination of Bhutto.Judge Sajjad Ali Shah posted bail at 300,000 rupees ($3,000) over the 2007 sacking of judges, the 2006 death of Akbar Bugti, a Baluch rebel leader in the southwest, and the murder of Bhutto.The decision prevents Musharraf being arrested for 10 days in connection with the judges' arrests and for 14 days in connection with the other two cases. Technically, Pakistan's Supreme Court could intervene to reverse the order.He has full protection now and he cannot be arrested in these cases upon his arrival in Pakistan, Salman Safdar, one of Musharraf's lawyers, told AFP.At the Sindh High Court, a handful of APML activists flashed victory signs and chanted Long Live Musharraf.Bhutto's son, Bilawal Bhutto, who is co-chairman of the PPP with Zardari, has accused Musharraf of murdering his mother.In 2010, a UN report said the murder could have been prevented and accused Musharraf's government of failing to provide Bhutto with adequate protection.Musharraf's government blamed the assassination on Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone attack in August 2009.  |
| Myanmar imposes emergency rule as death toll hits 20 Posted: MEIKTILA (AFP) - Myanmar has declared a state of emergency for a riot-hit town where 20 people have been killed in Buddhist-Muslim violence that has sparked fears of spreading unrest.Swathes of Meiktila, located 130 kilometres (80 miles) north of the capital Naypyidaw, have been reduced to ashes as authorities struggled to establish control after three days of clashes and arson.At least 20 people have been killed. We estimate that it could be higher but it is also difficult for us to gather all the figures, a police officer who did not want to be named told AFP on Friday.The president's office said the state of emergency would enable the military to help restore order.The situation was extremely tense in Meiktila with groups of men -- including Buddhist monks -- armed with knives and sticks prowling the streets. Many of the town's Muslim residents have fled their homes.A journalist saw the incinerated remains of two victims on a roadside, just one of several reports of bodies in the town, as flames raged from torched mosques and houses while other buildings smouldered unattended.The situation is getting worse, a local resident said. People are destroying buildings. Many people have been killed. We are scared and trying to stay safe at home.A group of reporters were stopped at knife-point by a gang of young men and monks and forced to hand over their camera memory cards, according to one of the journalists.It is the worst communal violence since a wave of clashes between Buddhists and Muslims in the western state of Rakhine last year that left at least 180 people dead and more than 110,000 displaced.A local lawmaker said that about 25 people had been killed in Meiktila, where more than one-third of the population of about 80,000 people is Muslim, but it was not possible to verify his figures.The situation is not good... although the government has said everything is under control, parliamentarian Win Htein, of the opposition National League for Democracy party, told AFP.He said hundreds of Muslims had taken shelter at a football ground and police compound while Buddhists had sought sanctuary in monasteries.As international alarm grew, a senior UN official said authorities needed to act to prevent further loss of life or spread of violence in the Buddhist-majority nation.Religious leaders and other community leaders must also publicly call on their followers to abjure violence, respect the law and promote peace, Vijay Nambiar, special advisor to UN leader Ban Ki-Moon, said in a statement.US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland on Friday reiterated Washington's concerns over the violence and said the United States was encouraging all sides to call for calm, to foster dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect.That's the right way to approach this, Nuland said of the state of emergency and extra security forces in the town. They are working, and a number of community leaders and political leaders are also working, to restore calm.The violence comes as Myanmar struggles with worsening tensions between Muslims and Buddhists that have marred international optimism over dramatic political reforms since the end of military rule two years ago.A local police officer said an order had been given on Thursday to shoot rioters below the waist if needed to quell the violence, which apparently began with a row in a Muslim-owned gold shop that turned into a mass street brawl.  |
| Netanyahu apologises to Turkey for flotilla raid Posted: JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologised Friday to Turkey for a deadly flotilla raid and announced a full resumption of diplomatic ties as well as compensation for the families of those killed.The breakthrough, which ends a nearly three-year diplomatic rift, was engineered by US President Barack Obama at the tail end of a historic three-day visit to the Holy Land, the first of his presidency.Speaking soon after Air Force One departed for Amman, a senior US official said the Israeli leader had apologised to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a special telephone call from Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv.On behalf of Israelis he apologised for any deaths those operational mistakes might have caused, the official said.Prime Minister Erdogan accepted the apology on behalf of Turkey, he added, saying Obama had also spoken with the Turkish leader.Israel and Turkey both confirmed the apology, with Netanyahu's office announcing a resumption of full diplomatic ties between the former close allies.A source close to the Turkish government also confirmed the breakthrough. Apologies have indeed been offered, he told AFP.Ties between Israel and Turkey spiralled in May 2010, when Israeli commandos staged a botched pre-dawn raid on the six-ship flotilla to Gaza headed by the Mavi Marmara, in which nine Turkish nationals were killed.The assault triggered an international outcry and a bitter diplomatic crisis between Israel and Turkey, with Ankara demanding a formal apology and compensation for the families of the victims.Until now, Israel has refused, in part for fear that it could open the way for the prosecution of commandos who took part in the raid.A senior official in Netanyahu's office said the two leaders spoke and agreed to return normalisation between the countries including returning ambassadors, and cancelling legal procedures against IDF (army) soldiers, referring to the high-profile trial in absentia of four top Israeli military chiefs by an Istanbul court that opened in November.Netanyahu's office confirmed the apology and compensation payment.The Israeli leader made clear that the tragic outcome of the Mavi Marmara incident was not intended by Israel and that Israel regrets the loss of human life and injury, it said in a statement.In light of Israel's investigation into the incident which pointed to a number of operational mistakes, the Prime Minister expressed Israel's apology to the Turkish people for any mistakes that might have led to the loss of life or injury and agreed to conclude an agreement on compensation/nonliability.Netanyahu also regretted the recent deterioration of relations between Israel and Turkey and expressed his commitment to overcoming their differences in order to advance peace and stability in the region.The premier also noted he appreciated Erdogan's interview this week in the Turkish leader said there had been a misunderstanding about comments he made branding Zionism a crime against humanity.  |
| 2 Italian marines return to India to face trial Posted: NEW DELHI (AP) - Two Italian marines returned to India on Friday to face trial in the killing of a pair of Indian fishermen, ending a diplomatic rift that had soured ties between the two countries.Italy had earlier said it would not send the marines back as promised, insisting the South Asian nation had no standing to try the men. But Italy reversed its position Thursday and sent them back to meet a Friday deadline for their return.The marines, Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, arrived in New Delhi on Friday evening, according to Indian foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin.Staffan De Mistura, Italy's foreign ministry undersecretary who accompanied the marines on their return, said a potential diplomatic crisis had been defused.India's foreign minister, Salman Khurshid, said Italy's decision healed the rift between the two nations.We have a valuable relationship with Italy, Khurshid told reporters. The fact that the incident did not derail our relationship, and that things are back on track and are normal is a matter of satisfaction.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also praised Italy's decision.We are very happy the Italian government is upholding the integrity and dignity of the Indian judicial process, he said.The Indian Supreme Court allowed the marines to return home last month to vote in the Italian election in exchange for a promise from the Italian ambassador that they would return within four weeks. The marines had returned from a similar trip home over Christmas without incident.But this time, after the marines flew home, the Italian government announced they would not be coming back, triggering a diplomatic crisis. The Italian foreign ministry said the decision to try them in India violated their rights.India's Supreme Court, contending the Italian ambassador had reneged on his promise, barred him from leaving the country. It also contended that his actions could nullify his diplomatic immunity.Singh angrily demanded the men be returned to India, warning that Italy would otherwise face unspecified consequences.Italy backed down Thursday, agreeing to send them back on condition they not be subject to the death penalty if convicted, Khurshid said. India assured them this was not a capital case, he said. Khurshid said he also told Italy the marines would not be arrested if they returned as scheduled Friday. Instead, they would be allowed to continue living in the Italian Embassy.  |
| Bangladesh tornado kills 20, injures 100 Posted: DHAKA (AFP) - A powerful tornado ripped through more than a dozen rural villages in eastern Bangladesh late Friday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 100, officials said.The tornado wrecked havoc in Brahmanbaria district over a 15-minute period, authorities said, uprooting thousands of trees and flattened hundreds of tin and mud-built houses in the area, and snapping road and rail communication with affected villages.The death toll is now 20, including women and children. At least 100 people are injured, government district administrator Nur Mohammad told AFP. He said local authorities have launched relief and rescue operations in the region.It was so powerful that it overturned dozens of motor vehicles and big trucks, he added, saying those who died were mostly hit by fallen trees or collapsed walls.District police chief M. Moniruzzaman said of the 100 people hospitalised, up to 12 people were in a critical condition.Many of the injured were rushed to hospitals in cities including the capital Dhaka, he told AFP.Bangladesh is hit by powerful storms and tornadoes from March to mid-May just ahead of the four-month-long wet monsoon season, often killing scores and in some years hundreds of people in rural villages.  |
| New US commander takes charge of Mideast forces Posted: WASHINGTON (AFP) - An Army general who oversaw the US withdrawal from Iraq assumed command in the Middle East Friday, succeeding an officer who had clashed with the White House over handling tensions with Iran.General Lloyd Austin, 59, who will oversee the pullout of US troops from Afghanistan in 2014, took the reins of the military's powerful Central Command in a ceremony in Tampa, Florida, succeeding General James Mattis, a blunt-speaking Marine who served in three wars.US officials acknowledge that Mattis, a four-star general, had disagreed with White House advisers over policy towards Iran, favoring a more robust approach to Tehran's controversial nuclear program.The friction with the White House prompted speculation that Mattis may have been forced to cut short the customary three-year tenure for the CENTCOM post by several months.But Pentagon officials denied there was any attempt to push him out early.Mattis was lavished with praise at the change of command ceremony at MacDill Air Force base, with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel calling him a legendary figure who was beloved by his troops.Jim Mattis has been front-and-center in every major combat operation this nation has conducted for more than two decades, said Hagel, recounting how Mattis led troops in the 1990-91 Gulf War, in Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks and in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.The next chief of US Central Command, which covers 20 countries from the Middle East to Central Asia, will have to grapple with the drawdown in Afghanistan through 2014, tensions with Iran and Syria's civil war.Without mentioning Iran, Austin vowed that the United States would back its allies and defend regional security.The US will continue to play an important role as a key partner to our friends and our allies, Austin said in a speech.We'll provide them with the necessary support and we will stand ready and willing to hold accountable those who have threatened regional security and stability through their actions or through the action of proxies, he said.Mattis has earned a reputation for colorful comments during his career, but kept a low public profile during most of his tenure at Central Command.In his farewell remarks on Friday, Mattis spoke of his admiration for the troops.I would happily storm hell in the company of these troops, who I haven't the words sufficient to praise, so I will not try.  |
| Pakistan Day is being celebrated today Posted: LAHORE (Dunya News) - Pakistan Day is being celebrated today (Saturday) to mark the passage of the Lahore Resolution that led to the creation of a separate homeland for the South Asian Muslims in 1947.The historic resolution, known as the Pakistan Resolution, was approved on March 23, 1940.The day dawned with special prayers for progress and prosperity of the country and with a 31 gun-salute in the federal capital as well as 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals.It is public holiday today and the national flag will be hoisted on important public and private buildings across the country and all Pakistani missions abroad.The Punjab governor and other dignitaries will visit the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal to pay homage to the poet philosopher who conceived the idea of the establishment of Pakistan. They will lay wreath on the grave and offer Fateha.Various political, cultural, social and other organizations have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day in a befitting manner.  |
| 23 killed as coach turned turtle in Sheikhupura Posted: SHEIKHUPURA (Dunya News) - According to details, a passenger coach collided with an electric poll due to over-speeding and turned turtle in Khariyanwala near Sheikhupura due to which 23 people were killed and 37 others sustained injuries.The passenger coach was travelling from Sialkot to Faisalabad. Rescue teams reached the site of the accident and shifted the dead and injured to DHQ Hospital.The rescue teams have expressed fear that the death toll may rise further. Those who died in the accident included, Waris and Shahzad from Sialkot, Shakeel and Haider from Samundari and Abdul Razzaq from Faisalabad.  |
| Injured Azarenka out, Ferrer advances at Miami Posted: MIAMI, March 22, 2013 (AFP) - World No. 3 Victoria Azarenka withdrew with a right ankle injury while Spanish men's third seed David Ferrer advanced by walkover Friday at the WTA and ATP Masters Miami hardcourt event.Reigning Australian Open champion Azarenka complained of ankle pain after a 6-3, 6-1 fourth-round victory over Urszula Radwanska in the Indian Wells quarter-finals last week before withdrawing eight days ago.I am very disappointed that I am unable to compete this year in Miami, Azarenka said. This is one of my favorite events and the Miami fans are always supportive.I have been working very hard to rehab my ankle this week but unfortunately it is still not fit to play. I look forward to returning next year.Ferrer moved into the third round of the $8.5 million tournament when Russian opponent Dmitry Turnsunov withdrew with a stomach bug. He next faces Italian 32nd seed Fabio Fognini, who beat France's Michael Llodra 6-3, 6-1.World No. 1 Novak Djokovic plays his first match later Friday against Czech Lukas Rosol while Argentina's fifth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro meets German Tobias Kamke and Russian third seed Maria Sharapova meets Canadian wild card Eugenie Bouchard.Azarenka, who like all Miami seeds received a first-round bye, is unbeaten on court this year, a 17-0 run that includes the Australian Open and a title in Doha.But she has twice surrendered matches by walkover, the first in January at a Brisbane semi-final against Serena Williams with an infected right toe that resulted from a pedicure.Azarenka was replaced in the Miami draw by 19-year-old US lucky loser Lauren Davis, who saved three match points in the deciding tiebreaker to defeat compatriot Madison Keys 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (9/7).Davis, ranked 81st, never expected to even have the chance to play after watching Azarenka warm up in the morning. Now she awaits either Britain's Laura Robson and France's Alize Cornet to decide a spot in the last 16.I'm so ecstatically happy, Davis said. I came here this morning with like no hope left that I was going to get in, because I had seen Azarenka practicing and stuff, but I just hoped and I wished and I prayed that I would get in.I got a call at 10 a.m. saying I got in. I was just so happy. I didn't care if I won or lost. I just was so grateful for the opportunity to play.  |
| Ruthless England beat San Marino 8-0 Posted: SERRAVALLE (AFP) - England strolled to an embarrassingly one-sided 8-0 win at minnows San Marino on Friday in an ideal warm-up for Tuesday's key World Cup qualifier away to Montenegro.After an own goal by Alessandro Della Valle gave them the lead, England rammed home their advantage and scored through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jermain Defoe, Ashley Young and Frank Lampard to take a 5-0 lead into half-time.Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge deepened the hosts' woe early in the second half, before Defoe claimed his second goal to complete England's biggest win since an 8-0 thrashing of Turkey in 1987.England manager Roy Hodgson could hardly have asked for a more straightforward evening, but a far sterner test awaits in Podgorica on Tuesday, when defeat would leave his side five points adrift in Group H.England's last away game against San Marino saw them concede a goal after just 8.3 seconds, but there was no danger of a repeat as the visitors applied a vice-like grip to the game from kick-off in Serravalle.Lampard, captain in place of the rested Steven Gerrard, was thwarted by San Marino goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini and Oxlade-Chamberlain sent a lob against the crossbar before England broke the deadlock in the 12th minute.Lampard found Leighton Baines on the left with a raking pass over the top and from the Everton left-back's low cross, the blundering Della Valle sent the ball into his own net.Such was England's dominance that by the mid-point of the first half, the away fans were already ironically cheering every touch from visiting goalkeeper Joe Hart.The second goal arrived in the 28th minute and it was a strike of quality, Oxlade-Chamberlain showcasing some sinuous touches on the right and exchanging passes with Rooney before driving home left-footed.Defoe had a goal disallowed for offside but a minute later he made it 3-0, touching the ball in from close range after Oxlade-Chamberlain headed Rooney's cross back across goal.Lampard stung Simoncini's palms from distance before Young added a fourth with a fine shot that flashed past the bewildered San Marino goalkeeper from 25 yards.Three minutes short of half-time it was five, as Lampard applied the finishing touch to another Baines cut-back with a side-foot shot that found the bottom-right corner.Rooney had failed to trouble Simoncini in the first period, but he seemed determined to make amends after the interval.He had already seen Simoncini tip a dipping shot over the crossbar by the time England won a free-kick in a promising central position in the 54th minute.Rooney took it, and scored, bending a shot over the wall and into the bottom-left corner before being replaced by Sturridge.Sturridge headed against the post from Oxlade-Chamberlain's dinked cross on the hour, but the Liverpool striker would not have long to wait for his first international goal.Defoe flashed a shot wide following an incursion down the right and Oxlade-Chamberlain hit a feathered effort narrowly over before Sturridge struck in the 70th minute, nodding in Young's cross from close range.Defoe tapped in Oxlade-Chamberlain's cut-back from the right to claim his second goal and make it 8-0 in the 77th minute.  |
| Amir Khan ready for Garcia rematch Posted: LONDON (Agencies) - Amir Khan is already looking past his April 27 opponent Julio Diaz, towards a rematch with unbeaten light welterweight champion Danny Garcia.Garcia yesterday opened the door to a rematch with former champion Khan, by saying, “I beat him once and I could beat him again,” and Khan is determined to ensure he gets a bout against Garcia at the end of the year.“I want to fight Garcia just to prove that I am the best but I’ll just have to go with the flow and see who the best man is,” Khan said to the Daily Mail.Khan faces Julio Diaz on April 27 in his first fight in the UK for two years, and he revealed he is taking a pay cut so that UK fans get to see him.Danny Garcia fights the same night as Khan, defending his WBC and WBA belts against Zab Judah.The light-welterweight division is really heating up, and the quest to see who is the best in the division will hopefully be decided this year, as Lamont Peterson is up against Lucas Matthysse on May 18, with the winner facing whoever triumphs out of Garcia and Judah.And Khan will await the winner of the last man standing tournament.“I think that would be huge. I’ve got a big fight to come against Julio Diaz which I hope to pass with flying colours,” Khan said, choosing not to draw his attention away from his next fight.“The guys in the tournament are the top five in the world and the final fight will prove who the best 140lb fighter is and that straightaway is a superfight.“Things don’t always go the way you hope they will but I’m willing to prove I’m the best in the division. I’ve made mistakes in the past but I’m correcting them and I know I’m ready.“It proves that I’m still seen as one of the best fighters in the division which is a good thing. I’m the guy who brings the most money to the table.”Khan has lost out in the biggest fights in his career. He was stopped sensationally by Garcia, and lost his IBF title to Lamont Peterson in a controversial fight. But despite this, he still thinks he is the best in the division.“Currently I’m still top of the list, among others who have world titles, even though I don’t have one because I have a huge fan base, talent, skill and because of the people I’ve faced,” he said.“Not having a world title makes me train harder so I have to go back to the drawing board but I’m still one of the top fighters in the UK.”  |
| Raikkonen fastest after second Malaysian practice Posted: SEPANG, Malaysia (AP) - Kimi Raikkonen continued his surprisingly strong start to the Formula One season, posting the fastest time in second practice at the Malaysian Grand Prix, outpacing defending champion Sebastian Vettel before rain hit the circuit Friday.The Lotus driver sent a clear message that his victory at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix was no fluke, as he edged triple world champion Vettel of Red Bull by .019 seconds.Ferraris Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso came in third and fourth followed by Vettels teammate Mark Webber, who earlier was fastest in the first practice session.It was another disappointing day for McLaren, which has struggled since revamping its race car in the offseason.Sergio Perez, who joined McLaren from Sauber for this season was 11th followed by 2009 champion Jenson Button in 12th.Kimi Raikkonen, world champion in 2007 and a surprise but emphatic winner at last weeks season-opening Australian Grand Prix, dodged a heavy shower to clock the days fastest time of 1min 36.569sec in the second session.Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel, on the hunt for his fourth straight world title, was just two-hundredths of a second slower at the tropical Sepang circuit while Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso were third and fourth for Ferrari.Red Bull pilot Mark Webber, who led the opening 90-minute session, timed fifth in the second stanza while Lotuss Romain Grosjean, despite a bumpy excursion across the trackside grass, was sixth.Nico Rosberg, Paul di Resta, Lewis Hamilton and Adrian Sutil were the remaining top 10 drivers after a difficult session which was punctuated by a track-clearing deluge midway through.Tropical heat and sudden downpours make the Malaysian Grand Prix one of the most demanding of the season with an extra challenge this year in preserving Formula One supplier Pirellis new, faster-degrading tyres.  |
| Tennis: Court One roof remains in Wimbledon plans Posted: LONDON (AFP) - Wimbledon officials on Friday confirmed that they are considering a proposal to build a roof on the All England Clubs Court One.The success of the roof over Wimbledons Centre Court has prompted tournament organisers to look at proposals for covering the second showpiece arena at the grass-court Grand Slam in south-west London.According to a Daily Mail report on Friday, the plan to add a roof on the 11,500-seat court would be announced publicly as early as next month.But a club spokesman said on Friday: Our position has not changed. A roof on Court No 1 remains under consideration but there has been no final decision.All England Club chairman Philip Brook, asked 18 months ago about the potential for a roof on Court One, said it would be a desirable thing due to the changeable nature of English weather.Unlike Centre Court, Court One was designed to be roof-ready when it was built in 1997.That means the associated costs and logistical demands will not be as severe as the huge construction on Centre Court, which was completed in 2009 at an estimated cost of 100 million (117 million euros, $151 million).The Australian Open has two roofs with a third being built, while French Open chiefs are reportedly keen to follow suit but face logistical issues.Meanwhile, the US Open has no covered courts even though the tournament has over-run for the last four years due to bad weather.  |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Dunya TV To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 comments:
Post a Comment