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Friday, April 29, 2016

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Smith backs Cricket Australia campaign for day-night test

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SYDNEY (Reuters) - Cricket Australia has bolstered its campaign to host a day-night test against South Africa later this year by publishing an interview with captain Steve Smith in which he backed the proposed fixture.South Africas players balked at an invitation to play a day-night match in Adelaide in November after discussions with Australian players including Smith, Proteas skipper AB De Villiers said this week.Smith, however, said his team would be happy to play a day-nighter against South Africa at the famous South Australian venue, as well as the fixture already scheduled to be played under lights at the Gabba against Pakistan in December.Im surprised that he named me, Smith was quoted as saying from India on the Cricket Australia (CA) website. The feedback we gave them was that Adelaide is the best place to play it, in our opinion.Were playing one in Brisbane now, but Adelaide is the best place to play it and I think it could work there.I dont know where theyve got their ideas from, he added. If they wanted to play one wed be happy to.Cricket Australia are determined to reprise the success of last years inaugural day-night test against New Zealand at Adelaide Oval.The test attracted huge crowds but lasted only three of the scheduled five days on a wicket especially prepared to offset durability problems with the pink ball.De Villiers also highlighted concerns over visibility of the pink ball.Cricket Australia are continuing their talks over the fixture with their South Africa counterparts and it looks likely that CA Chief Executive James Sutherland might have to get his cheque book out again.CA committed an additional AUS$1 million (US$762,400) in prize money for the series to help overcome reluctance from Australia and New Zealand players about using the pink ball in Adelaide.

Football: Totti gets Olympic support for contract bid

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MILAN (AFP) - Ageing Roma icon Francesco Totti has been given backing from Italys Olympic Committee as he seeks to earn a final years deal at the club amid interest from Major League Soccer.One-club man Totti is in his 23rd, and possibly last season at the Serie A side, who have been hesitant to offer the legendary playmaker a final years contract.At 39 years old, Tottis appearances for the Giallorossi, currently third in the league, have been few and far between in what has been an injury-hit campaign.Despite interest in his services from MLS side New York Cosmos, among other clubs around the world, Totti is believed to want to bring the curtain down with the club he has stayed faithful to throughout his storied professional career.Tottis hopes of earning a final years deal were boosted recently when he came off the bench to score late, crucial goals for Roma as they continue their bid to snatch the leagues second automatic Champions League qualifying spot from Napoli.Italian Olympic Commitee (CONI) chief Giovanni Malago, for one, believes Roma owe it to the legendary forward to bow to his wishes.Totti is an amazing story, a fairy tale that is almost too good to be true. For those who love sport, football and Roma its a great story. Francesco is a modern day hero, said Malago.Ive always had a soft spot for him. If its in the clubs professional interests, I think it makes sense (to give him a contract).Roma president James Pallotta has been keen to push Totti into a director or ambassadors role at the club, although reports in Italy suggest the American could be swayed by recent events.In the meantime, Tottis age would be no problem for many interested clubs around the world, says New York Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese.He admitted to Gazzetta dello Sport that contact had been made with the Roma star.Weve had contact. Besides, any coach in the world would be interested in player like Totti, Savarese said.His age shouldnt be an issue, its what he brings to the team.

38 civilians dead in rebel, regime attacks in Syria's Aleppo

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BEIRUT (AFP) - At least 38 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded in fresh violence in Syrias second city Aleppo on Thursday, a monitoring group said.Rebel rocket and artillery fire on government-held neighbourhoods killed 18 civilians, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.Two children were among the dead, and about 40 people were wounded.Regime air strikes on rebel-held districts, including the heavily populated Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, killed 20 civilians, including thre civilians, the Observatory said.An upsurge in fighting in Aleppo, Syrias pre-war commercial hub, has killed at least 186 people since Friday, the Britain-based group said.An AFP correspondent in the city said the barrage of air strikes began at around 10 am (0700 GMT) and was carrying on into the afternoon.Rescue workers in the city -- known as White Helmets -- said they were exhausted by the escalation in violence.We were still working on the air strikes from last night in the Sukkari neighbourhood, one volunteer told AFP.Overnight raids on the rebel-held neighbourhood hit a hospital and a nearby block of flats killing at least 30 people, the White Helmets said.Among the dead was the last paediatrician still working in rebel areas of the city.

India asks Britain to deport liquor tycoon

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NEW DELHI (AFP) - Indias foreign ministry said Thursday it has asked Britain to deport the embattled former airline boss Vijay Mallya, who faces a money laundering investigation.Mallya, a part-owner of the Force India Formula 1 team who used to run a liquor empire, left India on March 2 owing more than $1 billion and is believed to be in Britain.Last week India revoked his passport, after he repeatedly failed to appear before investigators looking into financial irregularities at Kingfisher Airlines, which ceased operating in 2012 leaving millions of dollars in unpaid bills.As of today, the ministry has written to the High Commission of the UK in Delhi requesting the deportation of Sri Vijay Mallya so that his presence can be secured for investigations against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002, ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup told journalists.Swarup said India had not yet heard back from the British authorities.Last week an Indian court issued an arrest warrant for the 60-year-old, once dubbed the King of Good Times for his lavish lifestyle.His massive debt has become a symbol of Indian banks vast volume of bad loans -- meaning in default or close to it -- seen as a threat to financial stability in Asias third-largest economy.Critics say the government has not done enough to tackle the issue of wealthy individuals such as Mallya, who obtain huge loans that they later fail to repay.The Enforcement Directorate, Indias financial crimes agency, has reportedly accused him of siphoning off money from Kingfisher to buy property abroad -- a claim the company denies.I dont think they are going to deport him but we have to make an effort, we cant keep sitting on it, a directorate official told AFP on condition of anonymity on Thursday.If he is deported then once he comes back here he will be arrested at the airport itself.The businessman, who is also a member of Indias parliament, has denied absconding and has criticised the media for what he has called a witch hunt.

Football: Benzema suffers hamstring strain, doubt for City return

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MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is a major doubt for the Spanish giants Champions League semi-final, second leg against Manchester City on Wednesday after Madrid confirmed he is suffering from a hamstring strain.Following tests carried out today on Karim Benzema in the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital, he has been diagnosed with a strained right hamstring, the club said in a statement on Thursday.His recovery will continue to be assessed.Benzema came off at half-time of Tuesdays 0-0 draw in the first leg against City having also been forced off before the break in Saturdays 3-2 win at Rayo Vallecano.Real refused to confirm how long the Frenchman will be sidelined, but he looks certain to miss Saturdays trip to Real Sociedad in La Liga in the hope that he can be fit for Citys visit to the Santiago Bernabeu.Madrids attack could be thoroughly depleted as they aim to make a 14th European Cup final should three-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo also not recover from a thigh strain for the second leg.Ronaldo has missed Reals last two games and Spanish radio station COPE reported on Wednesday he will undergo stem cell treatment in a bid to be fit to face City.Between them Ronaldo and Benzema have scored 74 goals in all competitions for Madrid this season.

Shamim's video 'leaked' to distance public from MQM: Farooq Sattar

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KARACHI (Dunya News) –Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Senior Deputy Convener Dr. Farooq Sattar Thursday stated that recording a video statement of Dr. Imran Farooq’s prime murder suspect Khalid Shamim while being in custody of law enforcement agencies and showing the video on media was a questionable issue and is an attempt to distance the public from MQM.Addressing a press conference at Khursheed Beghum Secretariat in Karachi, Sattar stated that the video ‘leak’ has raised numerous questions for which government is responsible for answering.Sattar further stated that this was a drama being played against MQM in the wake of the failure of Pak Sarzameen Party’s (PSP) rally.In an answer to a question, Sattar stated that things stated in the video show that the suspect was in contact with the other primary suspect of the case since 2010.Sattar has appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo-motto action on the video statement of the suspect.

RAW shifts sleeper cells from Malaysia, South Africa back to India

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – After embarrassing exposure of its network in Pakistan, Indian intelligence agency RAW was forced to change its strategy and now has shifted its sleeper cells from Malaysia and South Africa, back to New Delhi, India. RAW’s notorious agent Mehmood Siddiqui has taken up residence in India while 2 other facilitators Zafar and Khalil have also reached India.According to the new strategy, Javed Langra is seeing RAW’s setup in Karachi from India. Siddiqui, Khalil and Zafar now send instructional emails to Canada while Safdar Baqri sends the messages from Canada to RAW’s sleeper cells in Karachi.Intelligence agency has started tracking emails sent from India to Canada and London. Significant revelations have also surfaced during the interrogation of arrested suspects.The Indian intelligence agency’s involvement in Pakistan was blatantly exposed with the arrest of its spy Kulbhushan Yadav, who was captured from the southern part of the province. Yadav had been sponsoring terrorist activities in Pakistan.

Water Tanker Association calls off protest after successful negotiations

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KARACHI (Dunya news) – Water Tank Association late Thursday night called off its protest after a round of successful negotiations were held with Commissioner Karachi Asif Haider Shah. President of Water Tanker Association Riaz Baloch stated that the city’s administration had assured fulfilling their demands within the next 24 hours.The Association was protesting against alleged corruption, mismanagement and contract system in Karachi’s Water and Sewage Board. The protest was being held outside Managing Director (MD) Water Board’s office.All water tankers placed at Shahrah-e-Faisal were removed after the successful dialogue while the delivery of water throughout the city will be restored in the morning.

Karachi: 4 suspects apprehended in police action

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Police late Thursday night apprehended 4 suspects in Boat Basin area of Karachi.According to the police, arrested felons were involved in more than 50 incidents of street crime. Ammunition and a stolen motorcycle were also recovered from the perpetrators.In a separate incident, a motorist was killed during an accident at Super Highway. Police say that the accident occurred due to collision between 2 cars.Meanwhile despite increasing incidents of street crime, effective steps by the police are not being taken. In the Soldier Bazaar area of Gunjanabad, armed suspects on motorcycles are a constant threat to the citizens and incidents of looting are common.Dunya News obtained a CCTV footage showing a robbery near Nishtar Park area. Armed suspects can be clearly seen looting the citizens outside residential apartments. The felons bearing arms can be seen robbing people of cash and mobile phones.Pedestrians crossing through the area were also targeted by the perpetrators.

Karachi: 4 accused rounded up during police operation

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Crackdown against criminal elements in Karachi continued as four accused were taken into custody during police operation in Boat Basin area of the city on Thursday, Dunya News reported.According to details, police conducted an operation in Boat Basin area and apprehended four accused. Police sources said that the arrested persons were involved in cases of street crimes. Police also recovered arms and a stolen motorcycle from their possession.On the other hand, a man was killed in traffic accident at the Super Highway near Maymar More area. Police sources said that the man died when a car collided with another vehical at the Super Highway.

Bullish oil markets hit new 2016 highs

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NEW YORK (AFP) - World oil prices climbed again on Thursday, hitting the highest levels this year despite an absence of significant news to spur the gains.Rising for a third day, prices had some support from a weaker dollar after the Federal Reserve held interest rates unchanged on Wednesday and signaled it was in no hurry to raise rates, analysts said.We had the Fed go relatively dovish, so we had a bit of a move lower in the US dollar - thats commodity-positive, said Bart Melek of TD Securities.The oil markets are looking past the global oversupply for the moment and bidding things up technically, Melek said. Brent probably wants to go to 50 bucks.In London, Brent North Sea for June delivery, the European benchmark, rose 96 cents to the highest price since November at US$48.14 a barrel.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in June advanced 70 cents to US$46.03 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.If I could figure out why the crude oil prices are so high said James Williams of WTRG Economics. Prices have been strong and typically you get some profit-taking at this point.The weaker dollar could be helping. On Thursday, the dollar tumbled about 3.0 per cent against the Japanese currency after the Bank of Japan disappointed markets by not offering additional stimulus to the struggling economy.The Japanese yen is doing its best to support oil prices today, as the yen has rallied like a mad thing on inaction by the Bank of Japan, said Matt Smith of ClipperData.

Yen surges after Bank of Japan skips stimulus

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The yen surged about three per cent against the dollar on Thursday after the Bank of Japan left markets in shock by failing to deliver more stimulus for the struggling Japanese economy.Traders had widely expected the central bank to unveil fresh measures to shore up the worlds number-three economy after this months deadly earthquakes in southern Japan and a series of weak data.But, after a two-day meeting, the BoJ announced it would stand pat, saying it wanted to gauge the effects of the negative interest rate policy introduced in January.The main takeaway from the BoJ meeting is the Japanese feel no immediate pressure to use monetary policy or currency intervention to turn around the economy, said Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management.They feel like theyve done enough for the time being and want to see how the economy reacts first.At 2100 GMT Thursday, the dollar bought 108.11 yen, down from 111.47 at the same time Wednesday.The greenback ended the day lower against its major rivals after the US government reported first-quarter economic growth slowed to a paltry 0.5 per cent annual rate from 1.4 per cent in the fourth quarter.Analysts had expected a better 0.9 per cent. The data came a day after the Federal Reserve left ultra-low interest rates unchanged citing the slowing economy.While a weak quarter was largely expected ... the data will continue to keep the outlook for the next rate hike by the Fed very clouded, said Omer Esiner of Commonwealth Foreign Exchange.

Williamson gets nod as Kiwi captain in all three forms

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WELLINGTON (AFP) - Star batsman Kane Williamson got the nod as New Zealands captain in all three forms of the game on Thursday, replacing the retired Brendon McCullum.Williamson has long been seen as McCullums heir apparent and has already skippered the Black Caps in several one-day and Twenty20 matches.Kane has been a leader within the team for a long time now and already shown himself to be an extremely capable captain, NZ Cricket chief executive David White said.Hes respected by his peers and the wider cricket community for his professional approach both on and off the field, and has a superb cricket brain.Williamson, who is currently in India playing in the IPL, said he wanted to build on the achievements of McCullum, who retired in February.Its certainly an honour... (I) believe this team can achieve a lot, he said in a statement.Williamson led New Zealand on a giant-killing charge to the semi-finals at the recent World Twenty20 tournament in India, winning praise for his bold use of spin.Known for his calm demeanour under pressure, he made his international debut in 2010 against India.He was named Wisden Almanacks Leading Cricketer in the World this month after amassing 2,692 international runs across all formats last year -- the third-highest annual aggregate ever.Before his death last month, Martin Crowe singled out Williamson as the player most likely to succeed him as New Zealands greatest ever batsman.He already has an average of 49.23 from 48 Tests, including 13 centuries, and averages 47.00 from 93 one-dayers.His Test figures include a career-best 242 not out against Sri Lanka in Wellington last year to give the Black Caps a stunning come-from-behind victory.Coach Mike Hesson said he did not believe the captaincy duties would prove a distraction for Williamson at the crease.Hes got that ability to go into his little bubble when he bats and hopefully we can keep that, he said.The Black Caps next tour in is August, when they go to Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Get used to pink-ball Tests, says Kiwi boss

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WELLINGTON (AFP) - Players and traditionalists need to accept pink-ball Tests or the five-day format will not survive, New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White warned Thursday.Australia and New Zealand played the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide last year, attracting huge crowds to rival those at limited-overs versions of the game.But players from both sides complained about the pink ball, intended to be more visible under floodlights, and some conservatives felt it undermined a Test tradition dating back to 1877.White said there was strong enthusiasm for more day-night Tests at a meeting of the International Cricket Council board in Dubai last weekend.He said there was also a groundswell of support from fans and television broadcasters, expressing confidence that players would eventually come around.I think the players will be very supportive going forward, (day-night Test cricket) is essential for the survival of the format, to be honest, he told Radio Sport.White said day-nighters would never dominate Test cricket but he could envisage a time when most series included a match played under lights.It provides an opportunity for the game to be more accessible to the fans and weve got to listen to them, they drive the revenue, they drive the game, he said. Weve got to uphold the traditions of the game -- Im as traditional as anyone -- but weve got to look to the future as well.Players raised concerns after the Adelaide Test about the pink balls movement and durability, as well as the difficulty batsmen faced seeing it under lights.South Africas players have also refused to commit to a day-night Test later this year in Adelaide, Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said last week.Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said fine tuning would solve the problems, insisting New Zealands players backed the concept of day-night Tests.I think its inevitable that well play a lot more day-night cricket over the coming years, he told reporters.However, White said Indian officials had jumped the gun in announcing last week that they would play a pink-ball Test against New Zealand when the Black Caps tour later this year.He said NZC wanted it to go ahead but it would not be locked in until discussions around issues such as practice matches were completed.He said administrators in India saw it as a way to raise the profile of Test cricket.They realise that they have got an issue with their crowds at Test match cricket, he said.While T20 and one-day cricket is huge, they do struggle to get big crowds for Test matches.Hesson denied administrators in Australia and now India were using New Zealand as a guinea pig to trial the effectiveness of day-night cricket before adopting it against big-name opponents.He said it would be an honour to be involved in the first pink-ball Test played in India, if the fixture goes ahead.To play in front of a full house in India in a Test match would be pretty special, he said.

Donald eyes full-time Australia job

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SYDNEY (AFP) - South Africa great Allan Donald said he had his eye on a full-time job with Australia Thursday after he was named as temporary bowling coach for their tour of Sri Lanka.The former pace spearhead nicknamed White Lightning is filling in after Craig McDermott stepped down as bowling coach at the end of the World T20 in India.Head coach Darren Lehmann said it was a massive coup to secure Donalds services for the Test, one-day and Twenty20 tour from July to September.He brings a wealth of experience with him and our guys will benefit greatly from having him around, Lehmann said.His Test record speaks for itself and he was without a doubt one of the most formidable bowlers of his generation.There was media speculation on Wednesday that Donald could stay on for this years home series against South Africa, but this was not confirmed by Cricket Australia.Donald, who has previously coached with England, New Zealand and South Africa, said if the job was offered full-time, he would take it.If it does happen to be a long-term thing, then I would absolutely love to do that, the South African, who took 330 Test and 272 one-day international wickets during an illustrious career, told the Cricket Australia website.Theres no question about it. I would love to work with Boof (Lehmann) and his team, without a shadow of doubt.But well take it small steps at a time and see how that goes.Cricket Australia are still considering a full-time replacement for McDermott, with their former Test fast bowler Jason Gillespie, who is head coach at English county Yorkshire, a top target.Along with Donald, former Australia batsman Stuart Law, who used to coach the Sri Lankan and Bangladesh national sides, was drafted in for the Test component of the Sri Lanka tour.He will cover for current batting coach Greg Blewett, who is taking leave for the birth of his second child.Australias two-month series against Sri Lanka includes three Tests -- in Kandy, Galle and Colombo -- along with five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s.Before that, they have a one-day tri-series in the West Indies, which also includes South Africa.Former Tasmania fast bowler Adam Griffith will be the acting bowling coach for the tri-series.

Posted by IMRAN ALI SOOMRO (DARVESH) at 4/29/2016 07:22:00 AM

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