Dunya TV
Dunya TV |
- IS Afghan operations growing, evolving: US
- New UN peacekeeping chief named for Central African Republic
- Ferguson state of emergency extended
- Fidel Castro to US: You owe us millions
- US returns long-lost Picasso painting to France
- Tennis: Djokovic, Murray hit 50, Kyrgios blasted for Wawrinka slur
- Tennis: Kyrgios apologises, fined $10,000 over Wawrinka sex slur
- Football: De Gea still in exile as Man Utd visit Villa
- Golf: Balky putter leaves Woods well back
- Golf: Dustin Johnson rides eagle to early lead at Whistling Straits
- Lahore: One-wheeling claims three lives
- US oil prices fall to fresh six-year low
- Dollar edges up on solid US retail sales report
- Astronomers discover 'young Jupiter'
- Australia extend lead at rain-hit women's Test
| IS Afghan operations growing, evolving: US Posted: WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Islamic State group is operating in Afghanistan but does not appear able to coordinate their operations in the country, a top US military official said Thursday.The extremist group is now considered operationally emergent, said Brigadier General Wilson Shoffner, the spokesman for the US-led mission in Afghanistan.We do have reports of them operating in different part of the country but again not in a coordinated fashion, Shoffner told reporters, speaking from Kabul.He added that while IS is not yet capable of carrying out in Afghanistan the sorts of coordinated operations it is conducting in Iraq and Syria, the US has recognized the potential for them to evolve to something more dangerous, and we take that very seriously.For now, the group -- also known as Daesh -- is unable to operate in more than one part of Afghanistan at a time, although those limited operations have resulted in some fighting, most notably against the Taliban.We are seeing some fighting between Daesh and Taliban in Afghanistan. Usually this is the result of Daesh encroaching upon Taliban territory and interfering with established Taliban operations, Shoffner said.For months, IS has been trying to establish itself in the eastern regions of the country and to recruit Taliban fighters.The Taliban has repeatedly warned IS against expanding its operations in Afghanistan and a rivalry has emerged between the two groups.The recent confirmation of the death of Taliban leader Mullah Omar is expected to deepen divisions between the groups and to spur an increase in defections to IS.Afghan sources have said US forces have hit several IS target with drone strikes recently, reportedly taking out Hafiz Saeed, head of the groups Afghanistan and Pakistan operations.General John Campbell, head of the US forces in Afghanistan, will brief the White House on the Afghan security situation this fall, a critical turning point in determining the future of US and international military operations in the country.Shoffner said the growing threat posed by IS in Afghanistan will clearly factor into the Campbells assessment.  |
| New UN peacekeeping chief named for Central African Republic Posted: UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Parfait Onanga-Anyanga of Gabon to replace the ousted chief of the UN peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic, diplomats said Thursday.Ban informed Security Council members of his choice to replace Babacar Gaye of Senegal during a closed-door meeting called to discuss his unprecedented decision to fire a mission chief.Gaye was sacked following a string of allegations of child sex abuse by peacekeepers serving in the MINUSCA force that have been deeply damaging to the United Nations.Onanga-Anyanga recently served as Bans envoy to Burundi. The MINUSCA force, which took over from an African Union mission nearly a year ago, has been plagued by a series of allegations involving its soldiers.So far, there have been 57 claims of misconduct, 11 of which possibly involve child sex abuse.The latest allegations revealed by Amnesty International involve a 12-year-old girl who told witnesses that she was raped by a UN soldier during a search operation in the Muslim PK5 district of Bangui last week.The Central African Republic is struggling to recover from the sectarian violence that exploded after a 2013 coup, pitting mainly Muslim rebels against Christian militias.Ban spoke by videoconference to the envoys and force commanders of all 16 mission and told them they were directly accountable for maintaining conduct and discipline within their mission, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.Ban in June appointed a review panel led by former Canadian Supreme Court justice Marie Deschamps to look into how the UN handled allegations that French and African troops sexually abused children in the Central African Republic beginning in late 2013.While those cases allegedly took place before MINUSCA was launched, the allegations were documented in a report by UN rights officials that sat on UN desks for months before action was taken.The decision to sack a mission chief was described as unprecedented by the UN spokesman and a clear signal that the United Nations was moving to address mounting allegations of misconduct by the blue helmets.In announcing Gayes resignation, Ban recalled that peacekeepers are entrusted with a mission to protect the most vulnerable and that he would not tolerate any action by people who replace trust with fear.  |
| Ferguson state of emergency extended Posted: FERGUSON (AFP) - A state of emergency in the racial flash point city of Ferguson, Missouri was extended Thursday despite two nights of calm, officials said.St. Louis County declared a state of emergency after peaceful protests marking the first anniversary of the police shooting of black teen Michael Brown devolved into violence and looting on Sunday night.Tyrone Harris, 18, was shot by police after allegedly opening fire during the chaos.Unrest broke out again Monday night as angry demonstrators threw stones and bottles at police.While Ferguson was calm with no arrests reported on Tuesday and Wednesday, a county spokesman told AFP the state of emergency would be extended until at least Friday as a preventative measure.Browns death on August 9, 2014, led to weeks of sometimes violent unrest in Ferguson last year and sparked nationwide protests.Outrage at the deaths of Brown and a series of others killed by police in disputed circumstances have fueled the Black Lives Matter movement and a national conversation about racism and police tactics.  |
| Fidel Castro to US: You owe us millions Posted: HAVANA (AFP) - Fidel Castro marked his 89th birthday Thursday by insisting the United States owes Cuba many millions of dollars because of the half-century-old American trade embargo.Castro spoke out in an essay published in local media a day before US Secretary of State John Kerry makes a historic visit to Cuba to reopen the US embassy as part of the countries restoration of diplomatic relations.The trade embargo that the United States slapped on communist Cuba in 1962, three years after Castro seized power by ousting a US-backed regime, remains in effect despite the thaw.President Barack Obama wants Congress to lift it, although US officials say this will take time and is not an automatic part of the restoration of ties, as it requires congressional action.Many Republicans, who control both chambers of the legislature, oppose the idea, insisting Cuba has to improve its human rights record and make other democratic reforms.Castro wrote: Cuba is owed compensation equivalent to damages, which total many millions of dollars, as our country has stated with irrefutable arguments and data in all of its speeches at the United Nations.He did not go into detail about precisely how much money he reckons Washington owes Havana. The Americans are also claiming compensation for US-owned property, such as real estate, that was confiscated when Castro took power.Castro made no mention either of Kerrys visit to reopen the embassy, a step that comes eight months after Obama and Castros successor and brother Raul announced plans to restore relations. It officially took effect July 20.Castro ceded power to his brother Raul in 2006, stepping down because of poor health.Over the years, Fidel Castro has been a frequent contributor of essays to the communist party newspaper Granma and other media. Thursdays article was his first since May 8.Writing is a way to be useful, if you keep in mind that we poor humans must be more and better educated in the face of the incredible ignorance that surrounds us all, except for researchers who use science to seek a satisfactory answer, Castro wrote.Castros 89th birthday is being celebrated with a wide array of events.In town to take part is Bolivias populist President Evo Morales, who often refers to Castro as his wise grandfather.Castros other regional ally, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, was also present for the occasion, according to reports.Venezuelan television network Telesur published three photos of the Cuban leader in a tracksuit and cap sitting with Maduro and Morales in a small van.Some 200 people, accompanied by beating drums, sang Happy Birthday to Castro early Thursday at a special concert dedicated to the former leader.  |
| US returns long-lost Picasso painting to France Posted: WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States on Thursday returned an oil painting by Pablo Picasso that was reported stolen from a major Paris museum 14 years ago.The Hairdresser, which Picasso created in Paris in 1911 during his cubism period, was seized by US customs agents in New Jersey.Valued at $15 million, it was authenticated in January by experts from the Centre Georges Pompidou museum, its previous home.Picasso used to say: A painting truly exists in the eyes of the beholder, said Frederic Dore, deputy chief of mission at the French embassy in Washington, where the painting was formally returned to France.Once back in the French capital, the diplomat said, it will come back to life and return to public view after careful restoration thanks to this outstanding Franco-American customs cooperation.The painting had been listed on Interpols database of stolen works of art since it was reported stolen from the Centre Pompidous archives in 2001.It had last been displayed in Munich, Germany in 1998 -- and no one is clear on where it has been since.US customs agents came across it during a targeted inspection in Newark, New Jersey, just outside New York, in December 2014.Wrapped as a parcel sent from Belgium, it bore a shipping label that claimed it was a mere $30 handicraft, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said.We are committed to extracting stolen cultural property from the grasp of the black market and restoring it to its rightful owners, said Kelly Currie, the US federal attorney for the eastern district of New York.The Hairdresser entered the Centre Pompidous collection in 1967, donated by French art collector Georges Salles, who specialized in works of cubism.It had previously belonged to French art dealer Ambroise Vollard, who played major role in promoting Picasso and other early 20th century artists.Picasso died in France in 1973 at the age of 31, leaving behind a vast and influential body of work including paintings, sculptures and ceramics.  |
| Tennis: Djokovic, Murray hit 50, Kyrgios blasted for Wawrinka slur Posted: MONTREAL (AFP) - Novak Djokovic racked up his 50th win of 2015 to reach the Montreal Masters last eight and then blasted Nick Kyrgios for the crude sexual slur at Stan Wawrinka which has rocked the sport.The top seed, and three-time champion in Canada, scored his 28th consecutive victory at the Masters level by seeing off Jack Sock of the United States 6-2, 6-1.The win, in just 54 minutes, put the world number one Serb into the quarter-finals against Latvian qualifer Ernests Gulbis.Second seed Andy Murray, who is chasing a third title in Canada, also took his seasons win tally to 50 with a smooth 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Luxembourgs Gilles Muller.Djokovic lashed out at Kyrgios who was fined $10,000 for an obscene sexual remark made in Wednesdays third round.On-court microphones picked up the remark made by the 20-year-old Australian concerning Wawrinkas girlfriend.Kyrgios said that the woman had been involved with his close friend Thanasi Kokkinakis. Sorry to tell you that mate, Kyrgios is heard to say with his back turned to the French Open champion.Djokovic, a close friend of Wawrinka, said Kyrgios deserved to be punished.Some players have problems to control themselves on the court. Sometimes when you go through the emotional challenges, it slips out of your mouth, said the top seed.But again, theres no excuse for what he has said.Wawrinka, who seperated from his wife earlier this year and has been linked to Croatian tour player Donna Vekic, said the ATP should take major action this time.As well as the maximum $10,000 on-site fine, the ATP said they could not rule out further sanctions.He was fined, he deserved it, added Djokovic.I think hes going to learn a lesson in a hard way. Hopefully this wont happen to him anymore.I understand that every player goes through certain tantrums, emotional ups and downs during the match. In a big fight and at this level, I understand. But its not, I would say, fair, and theres no excuse of directing your tantrums to your opponent, especially to somebody that is not even there.Djokovic said that Kyrgios, fast earning a reputation as the sports bad boy, remains one of the potential future stars of the sport.Hes young, hes definitely one of the players that everybodys looking to. His quality of tennis is really remarkable for his age. Hes doing very well.Ive never had any problems with him personally. Off the court we had nice chats, practised with each other.Kyrgios is due back on court later Thursday against John Isner of the United States.The winner will face Frenchman Jeremy Chardy who overcame Ivo Karlovic 4-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 after the Croatian had passed the 10,000-ace career mark during his win in the previous round.Murray, the 2009 and 2010 champion of the Canadian event, will face defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Australian Bernard Tomic in the quarter-finals.  |
| Tennis: Kyrgios apologises, fined $10,000 over Wawrinka sex slur Posted: MONTREAL (AFP) - Controversial Australian Nick Kyrgios apologised to Stan Wawrinka Thursday for an obscene sexual remark he made on court which sent shockwaves through tennis and cost him a $10,000 fine.The 20-year-old made his apology just after being fined for the incident which took place during the pairs Montreal Masters second-round clash on Wednesday which Kyrgios won.I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for the comments I made during the match last night v Stan Wawrinka, Kyrgios wrote on Facebook.My comments were made in the heat of the moment and were unacceptable on many levels. In addition to the private apology Ive made, I would like to make a public apology as well. I take full responsibility for my actions and regret what happened.On-court microphones picked up a sexual slur uttered by Kyrgios who said that Wawrinkas girlfriend had been involved with his close friend and fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis. Sorry to tell you that mate, Kyrgios is heard to say with his back to Wawrinka at the time.The ATP said that Kyrgios had been fined the maximum on-site amount of $10,000 but added they were reviewing the matter and additional penalties may be forthcoming.Kyrgios has already pocketed almost $750,000 in prize money this year and $1.55 million in his young career.World number one Novak Djokovic said that Kyrgios deserved to be punished.There is no excuse for what he has said. He was fined, he deserved it, said Djokovic.I think hes going to learn a lesson in a hard way. Hopefully this wont happen to him anymore.French Open champion Wawrinka was furious when he heard what Kyrgios had said.There is no need for this kind of behaviour on or off the court and I hope the governing body of this sport does not stand for this and stands up for the integrity of this sport that we have worked so hard to build, Wawrinka said in a Twitter statement.So disappointing to see a fellow athlete and colleague be so disrespectful in a way I could never even imagine.What was said I wouldnt say to my worst enemy. To stoop so low is not only unacceptable but also beyond belief, the Swiss player added.Kyrgios is due back on court later Thursday when he takes on John Isner of the United States for a place in the quarter-finals.Kyrgioss comments were made after the first set on Wednesday which he won 7-6 (10/8).Wawrinka won the second set 6-4, but withdrew with back problems when he was losing the third set 4-0.Wawrinka, 30, split from his wife earlier this year and has been linked to Croatian tour player Donna Vekic.Its not the first time that he has big problems on court in terms of what he says and in terms of how he acts. I hope the governing body does not stand for this, added Wawrinka.Kyrgios, whose Twitter motto is Play Your Own Rules, has been the target of criticism from the tennis establishment several times for his on-court behaviour.At Wimbledon, he drew jeers from the public as he apparently did not bother to compete for a game in the second set of his fourth-round defeat by Richard Gasquet.He also had problems with chair umpires on occasion during the fortnight.Kyrgios defended his action with Wawrinka after the match.He was getting a bit lippy with me. Kind of in the heat of the moment, I dont know, I just said it, said the Australian.Wawrinkas coach, Magnus Norman, said in a tweet: That was really really low Nick Kyrgios. Hope for u that u have people around that will teach u a thing or 2 about life tonight. Very bad??  |
| Football: De Gea still in exile as Man Utd visit Villa Posted: LONDON (AFP) - Manchester Uniteds Player of the Year will be absent once again when Louis van Gaals side tackle Aston Villa at Villa Park on Friday in their second Premier League fixture.Goalkeeper David de Gea sat in the stands during Uniteds 1-0 win at home to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend after Van Gaal said that Real Madrids interest in signing the 24-year-old had affected his focus.With the mooted move to Madrid locked in an impasse, British media reports suggest that United now expect the Spaniard to remain at the club this season, but Van Gaal is still not satisfied about his state of mind.Apart from some wayward passes, De Geas deputy Sergio Romero performed well enough against Spurs and the Argentina international is set to continue between the posts against last seasons beaten FA Cup finalists.Asked if De Gea was in contention to face Tim Sherwoods team, Van Gaal told a press conference: No, its the same situation. He remains out of the squad. Normally, Sergio Romero stays in goal.While Uniteds fans will be heartened by the prospect of De Gea staying, the clubs former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has been critical of the way the situation has been handled.If the player is not happy, his agent, himself and the club that want him should have sorted this a long time ago, the Dane told talkSPORT radio this week. Its sad that its dragged into the season.Putting the goalkeeper issue aside, United have traditionally had little to fear from visits to Villa Park, where they have not lost in the league in 20 years.However, with United having had to wait until November 22 last season before recording their first away win, they will hope that it does not take quite so long to pick up points on the road this term.Van Gaal will expect to see signs of greater attacking cohesion than in the narrow win over Tottenham, when United prevailed courtesy of an own goal and mustered just a single shot on target.Uniteds travelling fans, meanwhile, will be eager for another sight of Bastian Schweinsteiger, who received a thunderous reception when he made his competitive debut as a second-half substitute against Spurs.The Germany midfielder struggled with a calf problem on the pre-season tour of the United States, but he told club television channel MUTV: Now I feel much better and also the game was very important to play 30 minutes.The training sessions are very important for me, too. Im getting better and I hope I will be 100 percent fit in the next week.Villa began the campaign with a 1-0 win at promoted Bournemouth and despite narrowly avoiding relegation last season, a flood of new signings has raised expectations for Sherwoods first full campaign.Rudy Gestede, the Benin international striker signed from Blackburn Rovers for 6 million pound ($9.3 million, 8.5 million euros), came off the bench to head in the winner at Bournemouth and he will hope to get a run at Uniteds new-look centre-back pairing of Chris Smalling and Daley Blind.However, attacking midfielders Jack Grealish and Carles Gil are out due to hamstring and ankle injuries respectively, while centre-back Jores Okore is sidelined with a knee complaint.Looking ahead to the game, Villa centre-back Ciaran Clark told the club website: Its Man United. Its the first home game of the season.Were back at Villa Park. Its a sell-out under the lights. Im not sure it can get much better than that.Friday night matches will become a regular fixture from next season onwards, but this game has only been advanced due to a march by far-right protest group the English Defence League in the area on Saturday.With United hosting Belgian team Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League qualifying play-off on Tuesday, the game could not be rescheduled for Sunday.  |
| Golf: Balky putter leaves Woods well back Posted: KOHLER (AFP) - Tiger Woodss bid to halt his run of missed major cuts took a hit on Thursday with a first-round 75 at the PGA Championship.Woods, whose early exits at the US and British Opens marked the first time he missed two straight major championship cuts, will have work to do on Friday to make it to the weekend at Whistling Straits.Probably one of the worst putting rounds Ive had in a very long time, said Woods, whose three-over round included five bogeys and left him nine off the early clubhouse lead of Dustin Johnson.Woods said he could never find the right pace on the Whistling Straits greens, making it impossible to capitalize on the favorable morning conditions.I just had no feel at all for the speed, Woods said. It was awful. My speed was bad, hence speed determines line, so that was off.I either left them short or blew them by, said Woods, who needed 33 putts. Just didnt have the speed at all.Woods, who has slumped to 278th in the world in a season that has seen him miss the cut in three of nine prior starts and produce career-worst rounds of 82 and then 85 on the PGA Tour, insisted his ball-striking was spot-on.I hit it great today, said Woods, who reached his first seven greens in regulation only to find himself at even par after a bogey at 14 and a birdie at 16.He bogeyed 18 to make the turn at one-over and found himself scrambling on an inward run that included three bogeys and a birdie.I kept to the game plan, struck it the way I wanted to, said Woods, although he hit just seven of 14 fairways in regulation.Hopefully I can hit the ball as well as I did today tomorrow and make some putts, he said.With his pursuit of Jack Nicklauss record 18 major titles stalled on 14 since his 2008 US Open victory, Woods needs a strong showing in the years last major just to have any hope of qualifying for the US PGA Tours FedEx Cup playoffs.He seemed resigned to the fact that his Stateside season is beyond salvaging.The season is pretty much over very soon, Woods said. The year is not. I still can do things overseas ... I have my tournament down in the Bahamas. Theres plenty of golf to be played globally.So the season ... it is what it is. Calendar year, I still have a lot of golf left.  |
| Golf: Dustin Johnson rides eagle to early lead at Whistling Straits Posted: KOHLER (AFP) - Dustin Johnson shook off any bitter memories of Whistling Straits on Thursday, firing a six-under par 66 to seize the clubhouse lead in the first round of the US PGA Championship.A 28-foot eagle at the par-five 16th and five birdies saw Johnson sign for a six-under par 66 just as the marquee group of Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Zach Johnson were heading to the first tee.The superstar trio -- McIlroy is the world number one and defending champion, Spieth is the Masters and US Open champion and Zach Johnson the 2015 British Open winner -- were heading into tougher conditions than the breezes that greeted the early starters on the 7,501-yard, par-72 course hugging the shore of Lake Michigan.All three were even through nine holes, the steady Spieth parring his way through the front nine while McIlroy got back to even with his second birdie of the day at the ninth hole and Zach Johnson produced three bogeys and three birdies on his outward run.The wind is starting to blow pretty hard out there, Dustin Johnson said. It picked up when we made the turn and it started blowing pretty steady out there.In the more hospitable conditions, he had opened his round with back-to-back birdies at the 10th and 11th before his eagle at 16.I hit a great drive down there, he said of the 16th. I had around 240 to the hole. I hit a four-iron to 25-30 feet and made a nice putt.He added birdies on one, two and four, and his lone bogey, a failed up and down at the par-three third, was followed by a birdie at the fourth before he capped his round with a 10-foot par putt at the ninth.You know, I hit it close on seven and eight and lipped both of those out, Johnson said. And on nine, my first putt I hit it a little too hard and fortunately I made a nice comeback for par, to end the day with a good, positive vibe.Things havent always gone so smoothly for Johnson at Whistling Straits.He was leading the 2010 PGA Championship at the final hole when he grounded his club in a scrubby bunker that looked to him like waste ground.The two stroke penalty and a missed putt at the 72nd hole cost him a place in the playoff won by Germanys Martin Kaymer.Its just one of Johnsons major near misses. He is winless in four attempts when playing in the final pairing in a major championship.That includes a three-putt finish to the US Open at Chambers Bay in June.None of that appeared to be on his mind on Thursday.Today was pretty easy, he said. I was swinging well and I was hitting the shots where I was looking. So anytime youre doing that, it makes things a lot easier on you.With the afternoon starters still on the course, Johnson was two strokes in front of a big group sharing second on four-under par 68.That included Australians Jason Day and Matt Jones, South Korean-born New Zealander Danny Lee and Americans J.B. Holmes, Russell Henley, Matt Kuchar and Harris English.For former world number one Tiger Woods, it was another tough start to a major as he tries to avoid his third straight missed cut in a grand slam event.Probably one of the worst putting rounds Ive had in a very long time, Woods said after posting five bogeys and two birdies in a three-over 75.I just had no feel at all for the speed, added Woods, who needed 33 putts.The 14-time major champion, who has slumped to 278th in the world in the wake of injuries and changes to his swing, was heading to the practice green in hopes of finding something for Friday.Hopefully I can hit the ball as well as I did today tomorrow and make some putts, he said.  |
| Lahore: One-wheeling claims three lives Posted: LAHORE (Dunya News) - Three youth lost their lives performing one-wheeling on motorbikes in Lahore on late Thursday night while celebrating Independence Day in their own style, Dunya News reported.Those who died included 25-year-old Rehan, 24-year-old Imran and an unidentified youth. Their dead bodies have been shifted to hospital.  |
| US oil prices fall to fresh six-year low Posted: NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices skidded to a fresh six-year low Thursday amid worries about excess supply.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for September delivery dropped $1.07 to $42.23 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the lowest level since March 2009.European benchmark Brent oil for September delivery shed 44 cents at $49.22 a barrel in London. The oil market has had an up and down week, with worries about the Chinese economy rising after Beijing surprised markets by devaluing the yuan.The market continues to reel under very weak fundamentals, said Gene McGillian, broker and analyst at Tradition Energy.McGillian said there is a potential for a further slide in oil prices but strengthening US demand for petroleum products could help guard the market from further falls.US gasoline supplies dropped by 1.3 million barrels in the week ending August 6, according to the Department of Energy.Obviously demand in the US is holding up fairly well and this is bullish, said James Williams, market analyst at WTRG.But when you start looking at the rest of the world, and you put all the numbers together, were oversupplied by two to three a day million barrels per day, and thats a hard number to support in any market.  |
| Dollar edges up on solid US retail sales report Posted: NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar advanced modestly Thursday against the euro and other currencies after a solid US retail sales report sparked speculation that the Federal Reserve will soon lift benchmark interest rates.US retail sales rose 0.6 percent in July from June to $446.5 billion, a slightly bigger increase than the 0.5 percent gain projected by analysts.The Commerce Department also raised its figures for June sales to unchanged from the prior estimate of a 0.3 percent decline.Markets grew a bit more confident in the Fed raising rates this year after Americas main economic engine, the consumer, stepped up spending, said Joe Manimbo, senior market analyst at Western Union Business Solutions.Market sentiment remained brittle amid still elevated concerns about Chinas slowing economy and depreciating currency, which should keep the dollar and its top peers on a volatile footing.The dollars gains Thursday made up for some of the losses Wednesday, when the US currency dropped on speculation that the Fed will delay hiking interest rates following Chinas devaluation of the yuan.  |
| Astronomers discover 'young Jupiter' Posted: MIAMI (AFP) - Astronomers have discovered a planet 100 light years away that looks a lot like Jupiter once did and may offer new insights on how planets are formed, researchers said Thursday.Known as 51 Eridani b, it is the first exoplanet detected by a new instrument called the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI), according to the report in the journal Science.It is the first young planet that probably looks like Jupiter did billions of years ago, making it currently our most important corner-piece of the planet formation jigsaw puzzle, said Travis Barman, an associate professor of planetary sciences at the University of Arizona.The star it circles, 51 Eridani, is just 20 million years old -- fairly young considering the Sun is about 4.5 billion years old. Enshrouded in methane, the planet is about twice the mass of Jupiter -- the largest planet in our solar system -- and contains the strongest methane signature ever detected in the atmosphere of an alien planet.Its temperature is estimated to be about 800 degrees Fahrenheit (427 Celsius), hot enough to melt lead.This is exactly the kind of planet we envisioned discovering when we designed GPI, said James Graham, a University of California, Berkeley professor of astronomy and the GPI project scientist. We wanted to find planets when theyre young so we can figure out the formation process.The Gemini Planet Imager was designed to discover faint, young planets orbiting bright stars. The instrument is about the size of a small car and is mounted on the eight-meter (yard) Gemini South telescope in Chile. It began operating in December 2014.A separate NASA mission known as the Kepler space telescope searches for planets by studying the dim in starlight that can be glimpsed when a planet passes in front of a star.Keplers main goal is to find Earth-like planets that might be able to support life.  |
| Australia extend lead at rain-hit women's Test Posted: LONDON (AFP) - Australia will head into the fourth and final day of their lone one-off womens Test with a lead of 196 and six wickets standing after England fought back between the downpours in Canterbury on Thursday.Rain meant only 38 overs were possible on the third day, with Australia getting through to stumps on 90 for four.Test debutant Jess Jonassen, who made 99 in the first innings, was 29 not out.England already need a world record run-chase in womens Test cricket if they are to win this match.This is a multi-format Ashes, in contrast to the mens version which saw England take an unbeatable 3-1 lead in a five-match series with victory by an innings and 78 runs in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge last weekend.Australias women are currently four points to two in front after the one-day international leg of the series, and there are four points out of a remaining 10 on offer to the winners of the lone Test.They already had a substantial first-innings lead of 106 when play resumed under grey skies on Thursday.Australia, however, lost opener Elyse Villani for a duck when she was bowled by England quick Katherine Brunt.Her next over saw Brunt bowl Australia captain Meg Lanning, also out for nought, to leave the visitors two for two after three overs.Thunderstorms and lightning strikes then halted play for four hours. When the match resumed, Anya Shrubsole had Ellyse Perry well caught by wicket-keeper Sarah Taylor for 13 to leave Australia 19 for three.Nicole Bolton fell next, looping a catch to cover off a Kate Cross delivery that bounced out of the bowlers rough.It seemed England had a fifth wicket when Alex Blackwell, on nine, caught at slip by Heather Knight off Brunt.Blackwell was given out and had almost walked off the field when Australia called for the first review in womens Test cricket history.Third umpire Martin Saggers, after lengthy study, eventually decided there was sufficient doubt to recall Blackwell, who was 15 not out when rain finally put paid to the days play. Weve definitely got the calibre of players in our order to post a really good total, come out tomorrow, play with intent and put England under pressure, said Bolton.Brunt added: We put ourselves on the back foot after two days, so we were determined to come out here and turn things around. Thats exactly what weve done and well come out with a lot more batting positivity tomorrow.  |
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