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Waqas Dar

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  1. Waqas Dar
    LEFT: French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin, January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch; RIGHT: US President Donald Trump in his Trump Tower office in New York City, US, May 17, 2016. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson  US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron called British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday to congratulate her after her Conservative Party won the most seats in a national election.
    May, whose party fell short of winning a majority in the parliament, has said she intends to lead a minority government backed by Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party.
    "French President Emmanuel Macron called to congratulate the Prime Minister, and said he was pleased that she would continue to be a close partner," a spokesman for May's office said in a statement.
    "They agreed that the strong friendship between our two countries was important and would endure," the statement added.

    The spokesman said May and Trump had also agreed to continue the close cooperation between their two countries.
    Trump stressed his commitment to the "special relationship" between the US and Britain and said he looked forward to working with May "on shared goals and interests in the years to come", the White House said in a statement.


  2. Waqas Dar
    Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May addresses the country as her husband looks on after Britain's election at Downing Street in London. REUTERS/Hannah Mckay  LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May faces a slew of criticism after a failed election campaign left her short of a parliamentary majority and fighting for survival as the clock ticks down to the start of Brexit talks.
    May's gamble that she could capitalise on Britons' desire to quit the European Union (EU) and perceived weakness in the opposition Labour Party backfired on Thursday as voters stripped her of her parliamentary majority.
    The surprising outcome, which sent the pound tumbling, forced May to form a minority government, leaving her reliant on a small group of Northern Irish parliamentarians, just nine days before Britain is due to begin negotiating a deal to leave the EU.
    Britain's typically right-wing press savaged May over the election outcome, questioning whether she will be able to remain in power after a result that leaves her reliant on uniting rival factions within her party to deliver Brexit.
    "May stares into the abyss," said The Times' Saturday edition, while the Daily Mail led with "Tories Turn On Theresa". The Telegraph said senior Conservatives, including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Interior Minister Amber Rudd, and Brexit minister David Davis, were taking soundings over whether to replace her.
    "As I reflect on the results, I will reflect on what we need to do in the future to take the party forward," May said on Friday in a televised statement.
    Britain's best-selling Sun newspaper said senior members of her party had vowed to get rid of May but would wait at least six months because they were worried that a leadership contest now could propel Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn into power.
    "Theresa May is certainly the strongest leader that we have at the moment," David Jones, a junior Brexit minister, told the BBC. He said it was impossible to predict whether she would still be prime minister at the end of the year.
    Several lawmakers demanded the resignation of May's top advisers, who have been widely blamed for a disastrous policy to make the elderly pay more for their care and a campaign seen as too insulated from ordinary voters and too focused on attacking her opponent.
    Reshuffle
    After confirming on Friday that her top five ministers would keep their jobs, including finance minister Philip Hammond, May is expected to continue appointing the government that will take on one of the most demanding negotiations in British history.
    May said Brexit talks would begin on June 19 as scheduled, the same day as the formal reopening of parliament. But the election result meant it was unclear whether her plan to take Britain out of the bloc's single market and customs union could still be pursued.
    British politicians, including those within May's own party, differ widely on what they want from the Brexit negotiating process.
    If she is to succeed in delivering the end of Britain's EU membership, which 52 percent of the British public demanded last year, she must find a way to recapture the full support of her party since she will need their votes to pass legislation preparing for and ultimately enacting the departure.

    May will also need the support of the socially conservative, pro-Brexit Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) that won 10 seats in Northern Ireland.
    The two parties are broadly politically aligned, but it remains to be seen what price the DUP will seek to extract for its support. Several Conservative lawmakers, including Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, raised concerns over the DUP's opposition to same-*** marriage.
    It was not immediately clear what the DUP's demands might be and one DUP lawmaker suggested support might come vote by vote.
    Any such arrangement would be fraught with political risk for May, fuelling uncertainty among businesses over what the final terms of Britain's departure from the EU would look like, and how it will affect future trade with the bloc.


  3. Waqas Dar
    BRASILIA: Brazil's top electoral court dismissed a case on Friday that threatened to unseat President Michel Temer for alleged illegal campaign funding in the 2014 election, when he was the running mate of impeached President Dilma Rousseff.
    The ruling gives Temer some breathing room but will not end a political crisis enveloping the beleaguered center-right leader. He is being investigated separately by federal prosecutors for corruption, obstruction of justice and racketeering.
    "We cannot be changing the president of the Republic all the time, even if the people want to," said the court's chief judge, Gilmar Mendes.
    Mendes, who backed the impeachment of Rousseff, said the country should not expect the court to solve the current political crisis.
    The electoral court, known as the TSE, voted 4-3 to acquit the Rousseff-Temer ticket of wrongdoing. That avoided the annulment of their election and the removal of Temer from office. He took over a year ago following Rousseff's impeachment in the midst of Brazil's worst recession on record.
    In a decisive move, that same majority had ruled on Thursday to not allow as evidence in the case plea-bargain testimony from 77 executives of the Odebrecht [ODBES.UL] construction firm, which is at the center of a vast political graft scheme.
    Those witnesses told investigators they funneled millions of dollars in illegal funds into the 2014 Rousseff-Temer ticket. But the testimony was made more than a year after the beginning of the case that concluded Friday, and without it Temer's lawyers argued there was no proof of wrongdoing.
    The acquittal will help Temer, whose government's poll ratings are in the single digits, retain key coalition allies who will support approval in Congress of his fiscal reform agenda. The austerity measures aim to bring a gaping budget deficit under control and restore investor confidence.
    Alexandre Parola, a spokesman for Temer, said after the ruling that the president viewed the decision as an example of effective institutions keeping the country's democracy working.
    INVESTIGATIONS 'JUST STARTING'
    Political analysts said the acquittal was disastrous for the credibility of Brazil's judiciary, the government institution that polls show is most trusted by Brazilians. Some warned it would add to growing disillusionment with democracy.
    "This catastrophic ruling prolongs the survival of a government that has lost all credibility and can no longer govern," said Roberto Romano, professor of ethics and political philosophy at Campinas University. He said it would add to a small but worrying trend of Brazilians favoring a return to military rule.
    Temer, a third of his Cabinet and dozens of powerful congressmen are under investigation for corruption.
    The leader is likely to soon face separate charges in the case involving allegations of receiving bribes and condoning the payment of hush money handed over to a potential witness in a massive graft scandal, investigators have told Reuters.
    The Supreme Court approved the investigation into the president late last month.
    But to put him on trial, the charges against the president would have to be approved by two-thirds of the lower chamber of Congress, where Temer's coalition retains a majority.
    With an election year approaching in 2018, however, the governing coalition's majority could shrink if lawmakers break away, concerned about voters punishing them for being part of a government overwhelmingly perceived in polls as corrupt.
    Acquittal by the electoral court could help Temer's main coalition ally, the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), convince its younger members who want to bolt from the government to stay put and help push unpopular reforms through Congress.
    But political volatility will not die down.
    "The days ahead will be very difficult for Temer. The corruption investigations are just starting," said Flavia Bahia, professor at the CERS law school and FGV think tank in Rio de Janeiro. "The government can't be sure of its allies anymore."
    The separate investigation by prosecutors into Temer includes a secret recording of a conversation he had earlier this year with a former top executive of meatpacker JBS SA.
    In it, the president appears to condone paying bribes to an imprisoned former lawmaker to keep him from turning state's witness and providing potentially devastating testimony about graft.
    Temer has denied any wrongdoing and insists he will never resign. But a one-time top aide to the leader, Rodrigo Rocha Loures, was caught on a police video released last month picking up a bag filled with 500,000 reais ($152,000) in cash from a JBS executive, allegedly meant to silence the potential witness.
    Temer aides told Reuters they worry that if Rocha Loures decides to reach a plea-bargain deal with investigators, it will strengthen any charges filed against the president.


  4. Waqas Dar
    Confectioner Mars Inc, owner of the Mars and M&M brands, said on Friday that it had voluntarily recalled some products sold under the Galaxy brand in the UK and Ireland as it detected the possible presence of Salmonella in the ingredients.
    The products, including the Galaxy Minstrels and Galaxy Counters bars, with a best-before date ranging between May 6, 2018 and May 13, 2018 were recalled as a precautionary measure, the British and Irish units of Mars said.
    Mars also said it had received no complaints regarding the affected products and that it was working closely with relevant food safety authorities regarding the recall.
    The company, which makes the Mars Bars that Harry Potter meant to buy on his first trip aboard the Hogwarts Express, said it came across the issue during a routine testing process.


  5. Waqas Dar
    Plastic that is dumped in rivers and then ends up in the world's oceans is one of the major sources of marine pollution, a new study said this week, with Asian waterways the main culprits.
    Researchers at The Ocean Cleanup -- a Dutch foundation developing new technologies for ridding the oceans of plastic -- say rivers carry an estimated 1.15-2.41 million tonnes of plastic into the sea every year, an amount that need between 48,000 to over 100,000 dump trucks to carry it away.
    Their latest study, published in Nature Communications journal Wednesday, added that two-thirds of the pollution comes from the 20 most polluting rivers, the overwhelming majority in Asia with the Yangtze River in China topping the list.
    The Yangtze, the world's third-longest river, "is the largest contributing catchment", dumping some 330,000 tonnes of plastic into the East China Sea.
    This is followed by the Ganges River in India and a combination of the Xi, Dong and Zhujiang Rivers in China as well as four Indonesian rivers: the Brantas, Solo, Serayu and Progo.
    The rest of the world shared the remaining 14 percent of plastic pollution via rivers, The Ocean Cleanup researchers said.
    "Most of this river plastic input is coming from Asia, which emphasises the need to focus on monitoring and mitigation efforts in Asian countries with rapid economic development and poor waste management," they said.
    The researchers however issued a disclaimer saying "there is very little data to document these assumptions and thoroughly verify the validity of our model."
    "Yet, the relatively high concentrations of ocean plastic found at the surface of the North Pacific Ocean where buoyant plastics originating from Asia can accumulate, suggest that our assumptions are plausible," they said.
    The study comes against the backdrop of the UN's first ocean conference opening in Miami on Monday, where plastic pollution was singled out as particularly harmful.
    UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres cited a recent study that showed plastic could outweigh fish in 2050 if nothing is done.
    Every year, more than eight million tons of plastic ends up in the ocean, costing at least $8 billion (7.1 billion euros) in damage to marine ecosystems and killing an estimated one million sea birds, 100,000 sea mammals and untold numbers of fish.


  6. Waqas Dar
    While Dracula's legend usually fails to scare tourists away from the blood-sucking vampire's 15th century castle, a large, furry and protective mother bear has had more success.
    Romanian authorities have declared Poenari Castle off limits after visitors climbing the 1,480 steps up to the ruins had close shaves with the animal and her three cubs.
    "The environment ministry has given us the green light for the four bears to be captured and moved elsewhere," local official Emilian Dragnea said in a statement.
    "But we still have to decide where to remove them to," he said.
    Police blamed tourists for leaving food which attracts the animals.
    Poenari Castle was built by Prince Vlad "The Impaler" Tepes, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's 1897 gothic novel "Dracula". The bigger tourist attraction, however, is Bran Castle in Transylvania.
    Romania is home to around 6,000 brown bears, 60 percent of the European population.


  7. Waqas Dar
    Once Spotify's most visible critic, pop superstar Taylor Swift on Friday returned her music to all streaming services as the number of artists to boycott the booming format dwindles.
    All of the 27-year-old singer's music including "1989," her blockbuster last album, appeared on Spotify and other platforms at midnight (0400 GMT) on the US East Coast.
    Swift's management said the move was meant to mark "1989" hitting 10 million sales worldwide and certification that the teen country music prodigy turned pop sensation had sold 100 million singles in the United States.
    "Taylor wants to thank her fans by making her entire back catalog available to all streaming services," it said in a statement.
    When she released "1989" in late 2014, Swift refused to put it on Spotify, by far the largest streaming service, and yanked her entire catalog off it.
    Swift accused Spotify of devaluing artists by essentially giving music away for free, pointing to the platform's advertising-backed tier that gives access to non-subscribers.
    The feud brought a defensive reaction from the Swedish company which argued that it was a rare source of growth in the long-beleaguered music industry.
    Spotify says it paid back $5 billion to songs' copyright holders as of September 2016, the last time it updated the figure it had given in response to Swift.
    More bad blood with Katy Perry?

    But much has changed even in the two and a half years since Swift's row with Spotify.
    Streaming -- which offers unlimited, on-demand music online -- has soared, led by a growth in paid subscriptions.
    Streaming revenue grew worldwide by more than 60 percent last year alone, according to the IFPI trade body.
    Most other major Western artists who refused to stream their music have relented, including the estates of late pop icon Prince and The Beatles, rock legend Neil Young and country music giant Garth Brooks.
    But the timing of Swift's return to streaming services raises eyebrows -- her music went online at the exact moment that fellow pop mega-star Katy Perry released her new album "Witness."
    The two artists have a barely concealed rivalry. Perry's latest album features the song "Swish Swish" in which she boasts of her success to a rival -- presumably Swift -- accused of bad-mouthing her.
    Swift's move could potentially hurt Perry in closely watched first-week sales. With significant overlap between their fan bases, some listeners who would have played "Witness" on repeat may spend time exploring Swift's music on Spotify instead.
    Already with Apple

    Swift's decision also marks a realisation that physical sales or paid downloads of "1989" have passed their peak so long after the release.
    The only album to sell better than "1989" in the past few years has been British balladeer Adele's "25," which she held off streaming services for seven months.
    Despite her hostility to Spotify, Swift allowed "1989" to be streamed on Apple Music from the moment the tech giant launched the service in June 2015.
    Swift had initially threatened to boycott Apple Music over not paying artists for streams by listeners on three-month free trial periods. Apple quickly shifted course after Swift's public reprimand.
    While the tech behemoth's about-face was mostly seen as proof of Swift's crushing power, some conspiracy-minded music watchers alleged that the entire drama had been staged for publicity reasons.
    Artists who remain firm against streaming their music include English progressive rock pioneers King Crimson, US heartland rocker Bob Seger and experimental metal band Tool.


  8. Waqas Dar
    France complicated their task of ensuring automatic qualification to next year's World Cup in Russia after falling to a dramatic 2-1 defeat in Sweden on Saturday.
    Sweden snatched victory with an Ola Toivonen goal from the half-way line in extra time after a poor clearance from France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
    The freak goal sent the massed ranks of yellow clad fans in Stockholm into a wild frenzy, but more importantly with four games to go it sent Sweden top of Group A, level on 13 points with France.
    Only the winners of each group are guaranteed a place at next year's finals in Russia, with the eight best second-placed sides competing in the play-offs.
    The French will now play a crucial tie on August 31 against the Netherlands, who remain in the running after thrashing Luxembourg 5-0, while Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal's 3-0 triumph in Latvia.
    France had pulled ahead through Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud after 37 minutes, but the Scandinavians levelled before the break thanks to Jimmy Durmaz (43).
    And after more than three minutes of regular time Toivonen took advantage of a poor clearance from France captain Lloris with a soaring shot into the back of an empty net.
    "It was a catastrophic scenario," said coach Didier Deschamps, a World Cup winner in 1998 as a player with France.
    "I'm not going to heap blame on Hugo, he has often been decisive for us, but it cost us."
    The coach added that "the draw was not the ideal result but would have been a good point, which would have allowed us to keep Sweden behind".
    For Deschamps's side it was the first defeat in qualifying and they next face a tough test against the Netherlands in Paris.
    Veterans Arjen Robben (21) and Wesley Sneijder (34) laid the groundwork for a Dutch victory in coach Dick Advocaat's first game in charge.
    In the second half Georginio Wijnaldum (62) and Quincy Promes (70) scored with Vincent Janssen, adding a penalty six minutes from time.
    "We have the means to cause a surprise in Paris, the group has found a positive dynamic, we will go there to win against the Bleus," said a defiant Robben.
    Advocaat, who started his third stint as Oranje coach this week, was also confident.
    "Of course we are capable of winning in France, the players will be ready, I have a good feeling," he said.
    Ronaldo show

    In Group B, Switzerland remain top after beating the Faroe Islands 2-0, thanks to their stars Granit Shaka (36) and Xerdan Shaqiri (59), and are three points ahead of Portugal, the reigning European champions, who beat Latvia thanks to another Ronaldo goal scoring display.
    In keeping with his great season finale, the Real Madrid star was decisive with two goals (41 and 63) and an assist for André Silva to score the third (67).
    Ronaldo has scored 18 goals in his last eleven matches and after guiding Real Madrid to the Liga-Champions League double will try to extend his trophy collection with the Confederations Cup from June 17 to July 2.
    The surprise result of the group was the defeat of Hungary against modest Andorra (1-0), leaving the Central European side virtually outside the World Cup.
    Switzerland and Portugal will play the first place of the group, which qualifies directly for Russia-2018, and the second will have settle for a playoff.
    In group H, Belgium took a big step towards qualifying by beating Estonia 2-0 with goals from Dries Mertens (31) and Nacer Chadli (86). Bosnia and Greece, the two teams pursuing Belgium, played out a goalless draw.




  9. Waqas Dar
    People look at floral tributes near London Bridge, London, Britain, June 8, 2017. REUTERS/Marko Djurica  LONDON: The three terrorists who killed eight people after driving a van into pedestrians on London Bridge and then attacking nearby revellers had initially tried to hire a 7.5-tonne truck, the head of the UK capital's counter-terrorism unit said on Friday.
    Commander Dean Haydon also revealed that the men had a stockpile of petrol bombs in the back of their van and carried out their deadly attack with pink ceramic knives. Officers also discovered a Quran in their safehouse, opened at a page on martyrdom.
    The discoveries, especially of the plan to hire a truck, suggested more could have been killed.
    "Getting hold of a 7.5-tonne lorry ? the effects could have been even worse," Haydon told reporters.
    Although Daesh militants have claimed responsibility for the attack, Haydon said there was no evidence the attackers ? Pakistani-born Briton Khuram Butt, Italian Youssef Zaghba, and Rachid Redouane who had links to Libya, Morocco, and Ireland ? were directed by anyone else, either in Britain or abroad.
    "We're not looking for a wider network," said Haydon, head of London's Counter Terrorism Command, adding that officers were still trying to piece together how the three men had met. "How did they know each other? They are a diverse bunch," he said.
    Haydon provided unusually extensive details of last Saturday's attack, the deadliest in London since suicide bombers killed 52 people on the city's transport network in 2005.
    Ringleader
    On Saturday morning, Butt, who Haydon said was believed to be the ringleader, tried to rent a 7.5-tonne truck but did not provide payment details.
    It was not clear why he could not pay, or if he lacked the necessary license to drive such a vehicle. But his attempt echoed last July's attack in Nice, France, when a 19-tonne truck was driven into crowds, killing 86 people.
    Shortly before 10 PM PST, Butt received a text message confirming his hire of a Renault van instead.
    At about 10:30 PM PST, the men drove to pick up the van before heading to Zaghba's home in east London. At 11:38 PM PST, they left, and two hours later, the van reached London Bridge, which they drove along twice before targeting pedestrians on the sidewalk on their third run.
    Three people on the bridge were struck and killed by the van, believed to have been driven by Butt before the men abandoned the vehicle and began to attack people in bars and restaurants in the nearby bustling Borough Market area.
    The men were armed with identical 12-inch pink ceramic knives, strapped to their wrists with leather bound around the handle. They were also wearing fake suicide belts ? plastic water bottles wrapped in duct tape.
    Eight minutes after police were alerted, armed officers arrived at the scene and fired 46 rounds, killing all three men. Their victims were three French nationals, two Australians, a Canadian, a Spaniard, and a Briton.
    In the attackers' van detectives found 13 wine bottles, filled with lighter fuel with rags wrapped around them to make Molotov cocktail petrol bombs. There were also two blow torches that Haydon thought could have been used to light the homemade bombs as part of a possible secondary attack.
    "They were still fairly close to the van. There is a possibility that they could have come back," Haydon said.
    There were also office chairs, a suitcase, and two bags of gravel, which Haydon said might have been to add weight or to act as a cover story for their activities to friends and family.
    He said Redouane's home, an apartment in Barking, east London, was the men's safe house, where they put their plot together and prepared the attack.
    There they found an English-language copy of the Quran that had been left open on a page describing martyrdom, along with other items linked to their attack.
    Haydon said since last Saturday they had taken 262 statements from people from 19 different countries and numerous international inquiries were ongoing relating to the attackers and the victims.

    Criticism
    British police and security services were criticised after it emerged that they had known about Butt, who featured in a TV documentary entitled Jihadis Next Door, in which he joined a group unfurling a Daesh flag in a park.
    Haydon acknowledged that Butt had links to al-Muhajiroun, a banned group headed by cleric Anjem Choudary. He was jailed last year for encouraging support of Daesh, which has been linked to numerous militant plots in Britain and abroad.
    Butt was also arrested for fraud last October but was about to be told by prosecutors he would face no further action.
    "We will be looking at intelligence and our processes, and asking ourselves the question, 'Could we have prevented such an attack?'," Haydon said. "There is nothing that I'm seeing at the moment that suggested that we got that wrong."
    Police have installed security barriers running alongside the sidewalks at eight bridges across the River Thames, and Haydon said similar protection was being considered at other locations.
    Police were also reviewing security at "iconic sites", crowded places, and major events, and refreshing advice to theatres, bars, shopping centres, and sports venues.


  10. Waqas Dar
    PARIS: Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal powered into a record 10th French Open final on Friday and will face 2015 winner Stan Wawrinka for the title after the Swiss outdueled Andy Murray in a five-set epic.
    Nadal demolished Austrian pretender and sixth seed Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 to return to the final at Roland Garros for the first time since the last of his nine titles in 2014.
    Wawrinka became the oldest finalist in Paris in 44 years with a thrilling 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 win over world number one Murray.
    "I've played a very good event, played well in all the matches and today was no exception," said Nadal, who has lost just 29 games in reaching Sunday's championship match.
    "I started a bit more nervous, but then I played well.
    "It's true that Dominic played with more mistakes than usual today, but it was windy."
    Nadal is bidding to become the first man to win 10 titles at a single Grand Slam and leads the head-to-head with Wawrinka 15-3.
    "I always say the same but it's true. Nine or 10, it's only 10 percent more. It's true 10 is a beautiful number, nine is my favourite, but if I win it will become 10."
    However, he will be mindful of another upset after the Swiss stunned an injury-hit Nadal three years ago to claim the Australian Open crown.
    "I have been playing a great event. But Stan is playing unbelievable," said Nadal, who despite his imposing record has split the past six meetings with Wawrinka.
    "It will be a super hard final and I will need to play at my very best."
    Nadal withstood a shaky start before reeling off four games in succession to subdue Thiem, who was looking to be just the second Austrian finalist at a Slam after 1995 French Open winner Thomas Muster.
    Thiem is the only player to defeat Nadal on clay this season, but the fourth seed barely gave his rival a sniff and conceded just nine points in a chastening final set.
    'Biggest challenge'

    US Open champion Wawrinka, 32, triumphed in a pulsating four hour 34 minute battle of shotmaking and endurance and will target a fourth Slam title this weekend.
    For Murray, his wait to become Britain's first men's champion in Paris since Fred Perry in 1935 goes on.
    "It's incredible to be in another Roland Garros final," said Wawrinka, the oldest finalist since 33-year-old Niki Pilic was runner-up in 1973.
    His win avenged defeat to Murray at the same stage in 2016 and the Swiss suggested the Briton was nowhere near that form on Friday.
    "Last year he was much more aggressive but last year he was stronger," said Wawrinka after reaching his fourth final at the majors.
    "Today I think he's less confident. He played a bit less fast. He was a little more hesitant, and that gave me a bit more time to actually install my game."
    But Wawrinka is in no doubt as to the nature of the obstacle that stands in his way of a second Roland Garros triumph.
    "I think to play Rafa on clay in French Open in a final is probably the biggest challenge you can have in tennis. He's the best player ever on clay."
    Murray, the 2016 runner-up to Novak Djokovic, admitted that Wawrinka was the stronger player in the end.
    "I tried to keep fighting, but he played well at the end," said Murray.
    "I was a tiebreak from getting to the final in a tournament which I came into struggling."
    For Thiem, it was a disappointing end to a tournament which had seen him defeat Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
    "I was not on top of my game and the result everybody saw," he said.
    "It's nice to be in the semis again, but I'm really disappointed because I just couldn't play the way I wanted to. I don't know why yet, so I have to find some reasons."




  11. Waqas Dar
    US President Donald Trump reacts to a reporter´s question during a joint news conference with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, US. June 9, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst  WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump, while addressing media on Friday, rubbished ex-Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey?s statement that the former had instructed the latter to let go of the investigation surrounding former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
    "I didn?t say that. I will tell you that I didn?t say that,? said Trump, when asked if Comey lied about Trump intervening in the Flynn probe.

    The American head of state, who was speaking alongside his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis in White House?s Rose Garden, highlighted his willingness to provide under oath his version of events described by Comey earlier, saying he will "100 percent" do so.

    ?I?ll be glad to tell [Robert Mueller] exactly what I just told you,? Trump said when a reporter inquired what he would tell the Special Counsel investigating allegations that Russia interfered with the 2016 US presidential election and colluded with the current President's campaign.
    Comey and the congressional hearing
    Comey, who was fired by Trump in May, this year, delivered a scathing indictment of the president on Thursday at a congressional hearing. He accused the businessman-turned-President of trying to block the investigation into Flynn.
    Comey says Trump fired him to undermine FBI Russia investigation
    Trump told me to drop investigation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn: Comey
    In shock move, Trump fires FBI Director Comey
    Comey had been embroiled in a controversy surrounding his handling of a probe of Clinton








    The former top FBI official also said Trump asked him in January to pledge loyalty to the president, an unusual request that would put in doubt the intelligence and security service's independence.

    In the congressional hearing, Comey did not disclose any links between Trump advisers and alleged Russian meddling. He did testify that Trump told him on January 26 that he expected loyalty from the FBI director and urged him to drop the probe into Flynn the next month.
    Comey's testimony added fuel to critics' accusations that Trump's actions around the Russia probe might have amounted to obstruction of justice.

    'Leaker'
    Trump expressed incredulity at the allegations and went on to say that he ?hardly know(s) that man; I?m not gonna say I want [Comey] to pledge allegiance?, adding that ?it doesn?t make sense.?

    However, Trump called Comey "a leaker", explaining that there?s ?no collusion, no obstruction? in the meanwhile. As for recordings of the conversations in question, the US President commented he was not providing hints about anything, but will let the world know ?about it over a very short period of time?.
    Trump on Friday wrote on Twitter that the former FBI director had vindicated him by telling the Senate Intelligence Committee that the president had not been personally under investigation in the Russia probe.

    With a single tweet, Trump also castigated Comey for giving an account of his conversation with the president to a lawyer who shared it with a news outlet.
    ?Editing by Haseem uz Zaman


  12. Waqas Dar
    Bangladesh's Mohammad Mahmudullah celebrates at the end of the match against New Zealand, part of 2017 ICC Champions Trophy Group A, in Sophia Gardens. June 9, 2017. Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge Livepic  Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan shared a superb 224-run partnership to lead Bangladesh to a memorable five-wicket victory over New Zealand, who were knocked out of the Champions Trophy on Friday.

    Chasing 266 to win the Group A game, Bangladesh slumped to 33 for four as Kiwi seamers Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Adam Milne made the new ball swing.
    Opener Tamim Iqbal, who had scored 128 and 95 in his last two innings, was trapped lbw for nought by Southee in the first over.
    The 28-year-old Southee ran through the Bangladesh top order, dismissing Soumya Sarkar (3), and Sabbir Rahman (8) before Milne removed Mushfiqur Rahim for 14.
    But Mahmudullah and Shakib produced a vintage batting display, keeping the required run rate under control as they put together the first 200-run stand for Bangladesh in one-day internationals.
    Shakib reached his hundred with a massive six in the 46th over before Boult removed him for 114 and Mahmudullah finished on 102 not out to guide Bangladesh home with 16 balls top spare.
    New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bat after the match was delayed by an hour due to rain.
    Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed made an early breakthrough when Luke Ronchi gave a catch to mid-on with 46 runs on the board.
    Williamson (57) and Ross Taylor added 83 runs for the third wicket before the skipper was run out after being sent back attempting to sneak a quick a single.
    Ahmed returned to the attack to dismiss Taylor who made 63 off 82 deliveries.
    Part-time off-spinner Mosaddek Hossain stunned the Kiwi middle-order, removing Neil Broom (36), Jimmy Neesham (23), and Corey Anderson, who was trapped lbw for a first-ball duck. New Zealand managed just 62 runs in the final 10 overs, the lowest tally by any team in the this year's tournament.
    Bangladesh moved up to second in the standings and will qualify for the semi-finals if Group A leaders England beat third-placed Australia on Saturday.


  13. Waqas Dar
    US President Donald Trump reacts to a reporter´s question during a joint news conference with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, US. June 9, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst  WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump, while addressing media late Friday night, rubbished ex-Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey?s statement that the former had instructed the latter to let go of the investigation surrounding former national security adviser Michael Flynn. He was speaking alongside his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis in White House?s Rose Garden.

    "I didn?t say that. I will tell you that I didn?t say that,? said Trump, when asked if Comey lied about Trump intervening in the Flynn probe.
    The American head of state highlighted his willingness to provide under oath his version of events described by Comey earlier. ?I?ll be glad to tell [Robert Mueller] exactly what I just told you,? Trump said when a reporter inquired what he would tell the Special Counsel.
    Expressing incredulity at the allegations, Trump went on to say that he ?hardly know(s) that man, I?m not gonna say I want you to pledge allegiance?, adding that ?it doesn?t make sense.?
    However, Trump called Comey a ?leaker?, explaining that there?s ?no collusion, no obstruction? in the meanwhile.
    As for recordings of the conversations in question, the US President commented he was not giving hints about anything, but that he will let the world know ?about it over a very short period of time?.


  14. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: PM's aide on political affairs Dr. Asif Kirmani, maintaining that Imran Khan failed to prove his money trail, has demanded formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) to probe the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    The Supreme Court has been hearing a petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi regarding ?foreign funding? of the PTI and served notices to Imran Khan and his party in May, over issues relating to money trail surrounding purchase of the PTI chief?s estate in Bani Gala.
    The apex court had asked 14 questions from the PTI chairman regarding purchase of Bani Gala land and an offshore firm he owned. This prompted Imran to contact his ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith, asking for the record of bank transactions for the purchase of land.
    SC asks 14 questions from Imran on Bani Gala land purchase, offshore firm
    How was land in Bani Gala purchased before Jemima transferred amount for it from London, the SC inquires
    Speaking on Geo News' program 'Naya Pakistan,' Kirmani said (Prime Minister Nawaz and his family) are cooperating with the Panama case JIT, constituted to probe the Sharif family in the aftermath of disclosures made in the Panama Papers leaks, and they will continue to do so in future.
    He admitted that his party had reservations over the investigation team, which were raised before the apex court.
    Noting that the prime minister presented himself and his family for accountability, the PM's aide said: "We have a single strategy pertaining to the JIT: justice be done to us."
    He recounted that Premier Sharif was subjected to ruthless accountability in the reign of former military ruler Gen (R) Pervez Musharraf.
    Picture of Hussain Nawaz waiting before JIT session goes viral
    PML-N workers question who leaked the photo taken from a CCTV in Federal Judicial Academy
    Panama case: JIT questions Hussain Nawaz for six hours
    Panama probe team has asked premier?s son to furnish relevant documents
    About calling in of an ambulance at the Federal Judicial Academy - the temporary headquarters of the Panama case JIT - while PM's son Hussain Nawaz was present there, Kirmani said they only saw the ambulance coming in and later leaving the building, but didn't know who called it.
    Commenting on the leaked picture of Hussain Nawaz, he urged the Supreme Court to find out as to who leaked the picture and why.


  15. Waqas Dar
    Former president and Co-chairman Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari on Friday condemned a statement by Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif against the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) and demanded the remarks be withdrawn, said a statement released by PPP.
    He also asked the chief minister to issue an apology over the ?unwarranted and provocative? remarks.
    The chief minister had accused the apex court of partiality and discrimination and only holding the Sharif family accountable, added the statement released by the PPP.
    ?It is shocking that from the picture of Hussain Nawaz appearing before the JIT Shahbaz Sharif should have concluded that the Supreme Court was aiming only at the Sharif family,? said the former president.
    Zardari added that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto would sit on a pile of bricks outside prisons with children in her arms seeking justice, yet the PPP did not accuse the SCP of ?training guns on the party?.
    ?The PPP believes in across the board accountability of all but at the same time it will not permit subverting the lawful investigative and judicial processes to escape accountability,? added Zardari.
    The former president also urged members of the legal fraternity to take notice of Shahbaz?s ?threatening and derogatory remarks?.


  16. Waqas Dar
    Flanked by party leaders, Imran Khan speaks to newsmen in Bani Gala. ? Geo News screengrab ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Friday voiced apprehensions that the Nawaz-league may go "beyond verbal attacks on the Supreme Court" and called his party activists to prepare for taking to the streets.

    Speaking to newsmen in Bani Gala, Khan said he has given a call to his party to be prepared for it is feared that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would do something against the apex court.
    "If they did something, our workers would take to the streets," he asserted.
    He alleged that the PML-N has policemen in its ranks, not workers; it is only the PTI which has loyal activists and we would prove our support in public.
    Mentioning that his party is only awaiting findings of the Panama case joint investigation team (JIT), the PTI chief warned that he was going to be "dangerous for the PML-N and Nawaz Sharif".
    "Nawaz Sharif had demanded Yousuf Raza Gilani to step down as the PM as long as investigations had been ongoing against him," he said. "We too demand the same from him."
    "We request the Supreme Court to order Nawaz's removal as prime minister," Khan said, adding that as long as Sharif was heading institutions, he would not let them investigate.
    He went on to lament that no action was taken on Nehal Hashmi's threats, while Rana Sanaullah was also issuing similar statements.
    The PTI chief said the (apex court) should take notice of the rhetoric against the JIT.


  17. Waqas Dar
    The Oval cricket ground in London.  LONDON: London´s two major cricket grounds announced expansion schemes on Friday, with the Oval set to overtake Lord´s as the venue with the largest capacity.
    The Oval, the south London headquarters of Surrey, plans to increase its capacity from 25,500 to 40,000 in time for the 2023 Ashes Test series against Australia.
    That would take it well above Lord´s, the self-styled ´home of cricket´.
    Friday also saw Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which owns Lord´s, announce a more modest plan to increase the northwest London ground´s capacity from 30,000 to 32,000.
    The MCC is considering two proposals. One would involve building two 10-storey blocks of flats adjacent to the Nursery Ground that would provide some £100 million towards ground development.
    The other, less ambitious scheme, known as the Masterplan, would see work worth £89 million carried out using the club´s own funds.
    Officials insisted Lord´s could continue to stage matches while any building work was ongoing, with MCC saying in a statement: "MCC is assuming that it will continue to host its current level of international cricket because of its historically strong ticket sales and confidence that every touring team wants to play at Lord´s."
    MCC members have been invited to give their views before a vote at a special general meeting in September.
    Lord´s is also home to Middlesex, the reigning English county champions.
    Even with the planned increases, the capacity of both Lord´s and the Oval would still be behind that of other major international cricket venues such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground (100,000) and Kolkata´s Eden Gardens (66,000).
    Surrey said their plans for the Oval had been driven by spectator interest.
    "Most of our major games now sell out, either for county cricket or international cricket, and we need more seats to meet demand," said Surrey chief executive Richard Gould.
    The Oval is set to stage the final of the ongoing Champions Trophy one-day international tournament and Surrey chairman Richard Thompson said: "The time is now right for (English) cricket to think on a bigger scale."
    The first Test match played in England took place against Australia at the Oval in 1880, three years after the teams had first met in Melbourne.
    Although it is more than 40 years since MCC ceased to run English cricket, it retains worldwide responsibility for the sport´s ´Laws´ or rules.


  18. Waqas Dar
    Cardiff, United Kingdom: Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah both made superb centuries as Bangladesh completed a stunning five-wicket win over New Zealand that kept alive their hopes of reaching the Champions Trophy semi-finals.

    Bangladesh collapsed to 33 for four chasing a modest 265 for victory after Tim Southee removed all their top three batsmen.
    But left-hander Shakib (114) and Mahmudullah (102) turned the tide with a stand of 224 -- Bangladesh´s highest one-day international partnership for any wicket, with this result ending New Zealand´s bid to reach the last four.
    Now Bangladesh must hope that tournament hosts England beat Australia in the final Group A match at Edgbaston on Saturday if they are to go through to the semi-finals.
    A win for Australia would see them join already-qualified England in the last four and knock out Bangladesh.
    But if Saturday´s match, as has happened twice to Australia already this tournament, ends in a no result washout it will be Bangladesh who go into the semi-finals.
    Earlier, Ross Taylor (63) and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson added 83 for the third wicket before the Blackcaps suffered a middle-order collapse.
    Off-spinner Mosaddek Hossain justified his recall with three for 13 in three overs while placeman Taskin Ahmed, also brought back for this match, took two for 43 in eight overs.


  19. Waqas Dar
    CARDIFF: Bangladesh beat New Zealand by five wickets in their Champions Trophy Group A match at Cardiff on Friday, with Mossadek Hossain marking his return to the Bangladesh side by taking three wickets 
    New Zealand slumped to a total of 265 for eight in a must-win Champions Trophy clash at Cardiff on Friday.
    New Zealand were well set while captain Kane Williamson (57) and Ross Taylor (63) were sharing a stand of 83 -- their third fifty partnership in as many matches this tournament.
    But, as happened in their no-result washout with Australia and defeat by England, the Blackcaps? innings collapsed once the experienced batsmen were out in quick succession.
    Mossadek, chosen ahead of fellow off-spinner Mehedi Hasan, took two wickets in three balls on his way to impressive figures of three for 13 in three overs.
    Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh?s other change to a side that escaped with a no result against Australia, took two for 43 in eight overs.
    New Zealand, who had been 152 for three off 30 overs, only managed 113 more runs in the last 20 overs.
    Given 300 is now generally regarded as a ?par score?, Bangladesh were on top at the half-way stage -- especially as Williamson had won the toss.
    Both Bangladesh and New Zealand had to win this Group A match to stand a chance of going through to the semi-finals, although a victory for Australia against England at Edgbaston on Saturday would see them join the already-qualified tournament hosts in the last four.
    New Zealand opener Martin Guptill was in excellent touch after the match started an hour late due to rain and drove Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza for six.
    But Bangladesh?s change bowlers removed both Luke Ronchi and fellow opener Guptill to leave New Zealand 69 for two.
    The extra pace of Taskin, recalled instead of batsman Imrul Kayes, appeared to surprise Luke Ronchi (16), a mistimed pull lobbing gently to Mustafizur Rahman at mid-on.
    Guptill?s 33 then came to an end when he was lbw to Rubel Hossain.
    Williamson, fresh from scores of 100 and 87 against England and Australia, showed his class with several elegant fours.
    Taylor too drove Taskin down the ground before sweeping spinner Shakib Al Hasan for four.
    Williamson went on to complete a 58-ball fifty, but he ran himself out as Bangladesh were rewarded for building pressure.
    Taylor turned Shakib straight to Mossadek at short fine leg and non-striker Williamson set off for a single that was never on.
    With Taylor not moving, Williamson turned but was run out as Shakib tidied up a wayward throw from Mossadek.
    New Zealand needed Taylor to ?go on? to a big score but Taskin, spotting the batsman was trying to ramp him, adjusted his length and an 82-ball innings ended with a simple catch to short fine leg.
    Mossadek then removed New Zealand?s next three batsmen, striking twice in the 44th over when Neil Broom (36) sliced to backward point and Corey Anderson was plumb lbw for a duck.
    The spinner completed his haul by having Jimmy Neesham (23), yards down the pitch, stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim.


  20. Waqas Dar
    Luke Ronchi/Reuters CARDIFF: Mossadek Hossain marked his return to the Bangladesh side by taking three wickets as New Zealand slumped to a total of 265 for eight in a must-win Champions Trophy clash at Cardiff on Friday.
    New Zealand were well set while captain Kane Williamson (57) and Ross Taylor (63) were sharing a stand of 83 -- their third fifty partnership in as many matches this tournament.
    But, as happened in their no-result washout with Australia and defeat by England, the Blackcaps? innings collapsed once the experienced batsmen were out in quick succession.
    Mossadek, chosen ahead of fellow off-spinner Mehedi Hasan, took two wickets in three balls on his way to impressive figures of three for 13 in three overs.
    Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh?s other change to a side that escaped with a no result against Australia, took two for 43 in eight overs.
    New Zealand, who had been 152 for three off 30 overs, only managed 113 more runs in the last 20 overs.
    Given 300 is now generally regarded as a ?par score?, Bangladesh were on top at the half-way stage -- especially as Williamson had won the toss.
    Both Bangladesh and New Zealand had to win this Group A match to stand a chance of going through to the semi-finals, although a victory for Australia against England at Edgbaston on Saturday would see them join the already-qualified tournament hosts in the last four.
    New Zealand opener Martin Guptill was in excellent touch after the match started an hour late due to rain and drove Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza for six.
    But Bangladesh?s change bowlers removed both Luke Ronchi and fellow opener Guptill to leave New Zealand 69 for two.
    The extra pace of Taskin, recalled instead of batsman Imrul Kayes, appeared to surprise Luke Ronchi (16), a mistimed pull lobbing gently to Mustafizur Rahman at mid-on.
    Guptill?s 33 then came to an end when he was lbw to Rubel Hossain.
    Williamson, fresh from scores of 100 and 87 against England and Australia, showed his class with several elegant fours.
    Taylor too drove Taskin down the ground before sweeping spinner Shakib Al Hasan for four.
    Williamson went on to complete a 58-ball fifty, but he ran himself out as Bangladesh were rewarded for building pressure.
    Taylor turned Shakib straight to Mossadek at short fine leg and non-striker Williamson set off for a single that was never on.
    With Taylor not moving, Williamson turned but was run out as Shakib tidied up a wayward throw from Mossadek.
    New Zealand needed Taylor to ?go on? to a big score but Taskin, spotting the batsman was trying to ramp him, adjusted his length and an 82-ball innings ended with a simple catch to short fine leg.
    Mossadek then removed New Zealand?s next three batsmen, striking twice in the 44th over when Neil Broom (36) sliced to backward point and Corey Anderson was plumb lbw for a duck.
    The spinner completed his haul by having Jimmy Neesham (23), yards down the pitch, stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim.


  21. Waqas Dar
    LONDON: A defiant Prime Minister Theresa May vowed Friday to form a new government to lead Britain out of the EU despite losing her majority in a snap general election and facing calls to resign.

    "What the country needs more than ever is certainty," May said.
    The Conservative leader had called Thursday?s vote in a bid to extend her majority and strengthen her hand in the looming Brexit negotiations, but her gamble backfired spectacularly.
    Although winning the most seats, her centre-right party lost its majority in parliament, meaning it will now rely on support from Northern Ireland?s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
    May vowed to "fulfil the promise of Brexit", in a statement outside her Downing Street office in London after seeking permission from the head of state Queen Elizabeth II to form a new government.
    "It is clear that only the Conservative and Unionist Party has the legitimacy and ability to provide that.
    "This will allow us to come together as a country and channel our energies towards a successful Brexit deal."
    Avoid a ?no deal?
    The Conservatives and the pro-Brexit DUP are expected to team up on a vote-by-vote basis rather than enter a formal alliance after the stunning result left Britain with a hung parliament.
    Sterling sank against the dollar and the euro on Friday as doubt was cast on the whole Brexit process.
    EU President Donald Tusk urged Britain not to delay the talks, due to start on June 19, warning that time was running out to reach a divorce deal to end four decades of membership.
    "We don?t know when Brexit talks start. We know when they must end. Do your best to avoid a ?no deal? as result of ?no negotiations?," Tusk wrote on Twitter.
    May faced pressure to quit from opposition parties after a troubled campaign overshadowed by two terror attacks, but said Britain "needs a period of stability".
    ?Lost confidence?
    But Leftist opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, whose Labour party surged from 20 points behind in the opinion polls, told May to quit, saying she had "lost votes, lost support and lost confidence".
    Tory supporter Nick, 31, blamed the defeat on May?s "arrogance".
    "It serves her right. Whoever takes over has to understand campaigning is important," he told AFP in London.
    With all but one constituency declared, the Conservatives won 318 seats -- down from 331 at the 2015 election -- while Labour was on 262, up from 229.
    May, a 60-year-old vicar?s daughter, is now facing questions over her judgement in calling the election three years early and risking her party?s slim but stable working majority of 17.
    ?Mayhem?
    The result is "exactly the opposite of why she held the election and she then has to go and negotiate Brexit in that weakened position", said Professor Tony Travers of the London School of Economics university.
    Newspapers reflected the political tumult, with headlines such as "Britain on a knife edge", "Mayhem" and "Hanging by a thread".
    In a night that redrew the political landscape once again, the UK Independence Party (UKIP) lost millions of voters, triggering the resignation of leader Paul Nuttall.
    The Scottish National Party of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, which has dominated politics north of the border for a decade and called for a new independence vote after Brexit, lost 21 of the 56 seats it won in 2015.
    Sturgeon said the result showed that "the reckless Tory pursuit of a ?hard Brexit? must now be abandoned."
    ?Another layer of uncertainty?
    May, who took over after the June 2016 Brexit referendum, began the formal two-year process of leaving the EU on March 29, promising to take Britain out of the single market and cut immigration.
    Seeking to capitalise on sky-high popularity ratings, she called the election a few weeks later, urging voters to give her a stronger mandate.
    Officials in Brussels were hopeful the election would allow her to make compromises, but this has been thrown into question by the prospect of a hung parliament.
    "It creates another layer of uncertainty ahead of the Brexit negotiations," said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at OANDA currency traders.
    Despite campaigning against Brexit, Labour has accepted the result but promised to avoid a "hard Brexit", focusing on maintaining economic ties with the bloc.
    Barely a month ago, the centre-left party seemed doomed to lose the election, plagued by internal divisions over its direction under veteran socialist Corbyn.
    But May?s botched announcement of a reform in funding for elderly care, plus a strong grassroots campaign by Corbyn which energised the youth vote, gave him momentum.
    Britain has also been hit with three terror attacks since March, and campaigning was twice suspended.
    A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a pop concert in Manchester on May 22, killing 22 people.
    Last Saturday, three assailants mowed down pedestrians and launched a stabbing rampage around London Bridge, killing eight people before being shot dead by police.


  22. Waqas Dar
    Luke Ronchi/Reuters CARDIFF: Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed handed Bangladesh their first breakthrough with Luke Ronchi's wicket, after the Black Caps won the toss and decided to bat in their final group match of this year´s Champions Trophy. 
    Pacer Rubel Hossain had Martin Guptill trapped lbw not long after, reducing New Zealand to 69-2 and interrupting flow of runs.

    Both the teams are desperately seeking victory knowing even a win in Cardiff on Friday may not take either of them into the semifinals. They have a point apiece after they were each well beaten by England, while their respective matches with Australia ended in rain-induced no results.
    England are already into the last four and Australia will join them there if they defeat the tournament hosts in the final Group A fixture at Edgbaston on Saturday.
    It all leaves Bangladesh and New Zealand needing to win in Wales and then hope England put one over their archrivals, assuming more bad weather does not disrupt those calculations.
    New Zealand should have the edge over Bangladesh when it comes to local knowledge given their 87-run defeat by England in Cardiff on Tuesday.
    "When it´s not seaming and it´s not swinging, obviously we need to look at different measures," New Zealand paceman Trent Boult told reporters at Cardiff on Thursday.
    "I think we all know the importance of getting wickets early in the innings and putting the team under pressure is where you can really set the game up.
    New Zealand captain Kane Williamson made a brilliant hundred against Australia before following up with 87 against England -- a match where he was fined but not banned for a dreadfully slow over-rate.
    Bangladesh´s Tamim Iqbal also started the tournament with a century, against England, before making 95 against Australia.
    For both sides the innings has tended to fall away following the exit of their key batsman, with New Zealand losing their last eight wickets for 65 against England following Williamson´s dismissal.
    "Yes, he is in great form but we cannot focus only on Williamson," said Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza at his pre-match press conference.
    "They have players like Martin Guptill who can change the game."
    Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza/Reuters  Bangladesh were just four overs away from all but certain defeat and tournament elimination when rain came to their rescue against Australia.
    It was at Cardiff, now a much-changed ground, where Bangladesh caused arguably the biggest of all ODI upsets by beating a powerful Australia side in 2005.
    Defeating New Zealand would not be such a shock, but it would be a huge boost to the current Bangladesh´s side standing in world cricket.
    "We knew before the tournament that we had to produce something special, otherwise it wouldn´t be easy to beat teams like England and Australia," said Mortaza.
    "But we are a team that wouldn´t let go of a chance, so if one is coming up tomorrow, we will have to make sure we don´t let it slip."
    Playing XI




  23. Waqas Dar
    A firefighter hoses down a street after a suicide bomb attack in the city of Kerbala, Iraq June 9, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer  HILLA: A woman detonated her explosive belt in a market east of the holy city of Kerbala on Friday, killing at least 30 and wounding 35, Iraqi security sources said.
    Daesh claimed the attack in the town of Musayab, south of Baghdad, in a statement on its Amaq news agency. It didn't identify the bomber.
    A security officer said the assailant was a woman who hid the bomb under the customary full-body veil.
    The attack comes as Daesh is about to lose Mosul to a US-backed Iraqi offensive launched in October.
    Suicide bomber kills 20 in market south of Baghdad: officials

    The group is also on the backfoot in neighboring Syria, retreating in the face of a US-backed Kurdish-led coalition attacking its capital there, Raqqa.
    Iranian-backed paramilitaries are taking part in the campaign fighting Daesh in Iraq, attacking the group in the border region near Syria.
    Daesh declared a self-styled "caliphate" over parts of Syria and Iraq three years ago.



  24. Waqas Dar
    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/265a3307379ff4a1966b342a7bef4d1b.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9Ni85LzIwMTcgNTo1MToxMCBBTSZoYXNoX3ZhbHVlPWpmanprWUhZWHRyUjdpNVZtb0ZxM1E9PSZ2YWxpZG1pbnV0ZXM9NjAmaWQ9MQ== style=center]
    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif?s son, Hussain Nawaz, said on Friday that no government or court can act on the basis of mere suspicions. 
    Hussain Nawaz, following the Joint Investigation Team's session, held a brief press conference.
    ?Looking at the type of questions asked, I don?t think I will be summoned again by the JIT in near future,? he said.

    He said that this was his fifth appearance, adding that he would appear again if summoned, in order to abide by the law.

    The PM?s son said that he does not intend to contest the election.

    While referring to his brother, Hasan Nawaz, he said that it was his brother?s personal decision not to speak to media following his appearances before the JIT.
    He said that he is thankful for the support extended toward him during the appearances before the JIT.

    Hussain Nawaz said that he was also thankful to the media personnel for keeping the nation aware of the situation despite the heat and fasting in Ramazan.
    Hussain earlier also spoke briefly to journalists after appearing to record his statement with the Panama case JIT, Hussain said investigations should be based on facts and not allegations. 
    When asked to comment on who leaked his interrogation picture and why, the prime minister?s son said only those who leaked it know why they did it.  
    This is the premier?s elder son?s fifth appearance before the high-profile probe team in less than two weeks.

    Strict security measures are in place at the the Federal Judicial Academy, declared as the secretariat of the JIT. 
    Addressing the media later, the prime minister?s special secretary Asif Kirmani hit out at the premier?s opponents.
    He said Nawaz Sharif wants the inquiry to be completed so the truth can come out, adding that ?we are cooperating with the JIT and will continue to do so.?
    Kirmani claimed the Sharif family was rigorously investigated during the regime of Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf but no wrong-doing was proved.
    He also called for making a JIT against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan. Continuing the verbal assault on PTI, state minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the PTI has started a judicial war against the government, adding that political quarrels should be held on political grounds.
    Hassan Nawaz appears before JIT for the second time
    Premier?s younger son had earlier appeared before the probe team on June 2
    On Thursday, Hussain?s younger brother, Hassan, made his second appearance before the JIT; which questioned him for around five hours.
    Accompanying Hassan, Kirmani had lashed out at the ?character assassination? of the prime minister?s family while talking to the media.
    The JIT is probing the international financial dealings of the Sharif family in light of the April 20 Supreme Court judgment in the Panama case. 
    On Wednesday, the Supreme Court special bench overseeing the JIT?s probe had expressed satisfaction with the progress of the investigation after the JIT submitted its mid-term report.
    Panama case: Supreme Court satisfied with JIT's second interim report
    High-profile probe team has spent 30 days investigating the premier's family's global money trail
    The JIT, formed on May 6, has 60 days to complete its probe and submit its final report to the Supreme Court. 
    Controversies
    The high-profile probe has been marred by several controversies recently.
    A news report published in The News revealed that a person claiming to be the Supreme Court registrar had surreptitiously contacted the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and asked for specific persons to be included in the list of potential JIT members. The prime minister?s son, Hussain, had raised questions of bias against one of the SECP officials who made it to the probe team. However, those objections were not entertained by the court.
    Tale of Whatsapp caller and the Panama JIT
    ISLAMABAD: Using Whatsapp, a caller introduced himself as the Registrar Supreme Court and told the top bosses of the State Bank of Pakistan and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan to...
    Moreover, a picture of Hussain during his first visit to the JIT on May 28 was leaked to the media recently, raising questions on the credibility of the JIT?s work. In the picture, Hussain can be seen inside a room with no other pieces of furniture except for the chair he is sitting on and a table beside it. Opposition parties claimed the government itself leaked the picture to gain sympathy, however the Interior Ministry denied those claims.

    Picture of Hussain Nawaz waiting before JIT session goes viral
    PML-N workers question who leaked the photo taken from a CCTV in Federal Judicial Academy
    The most recent controversy surrounding the JIT stemmed from former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Nehal Hashmi's recent threats against the ?those investigating the prime minister?s family?.
    Senator Hashmi, who was the PML-N?s Sindh general secretary when he made the comments late May, is facing contempt charges in the Supreme Court for ?threatening the families of judges? after the court took a suo motu notice of his remarks.
    The JIT
    The six-member JIT comprises its head, Federal Investigation Agency Additional Director Wajid Zia, Amer Aziz of the State Bank of Pakistan, SECP?s Executive Director Communication Bilal Rasool, Irfan Naeem Mangi of National Accountability Bureau, Brigadier Nauman Saeed of the Inter-Services Intelligence and Brigadier Kamran Khurshid from the Military Intelligence.


  25. Waqas Dar
    The Surrey County Cricket Club is planning to redevelop The Oval stadium to increase its capacity to 40,000, according to a British media report.
    The Oval currently has a capacity of 25,000 but Surrey plans to rebuild Bedser Stand and Laker-Lock Stand after the 2019 World Cup, to boost capacity and make it the biggest cricket ground in the country.
    "English cricket needs a ground that can hold 40,000-plus supporters," Surrey chairman Richard Thompson told The Telegraph newspaper.
    "We have shown the demand is there and we would not contemplate this project unless we were confident we can fill this ground.
    ?We want to do something that is big, bold and ambitious and we know we can deliver."
    The club has held talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Duchy of Cornwall regarding the plan that will make The Oval one of the top venues for the region´s new Twenty20 league that is scheduled to begin in 2020.
    "The ECB are looking at places like the London Olympic Stadium because they want additional capacity," Surrey Chief Executive Richard Gould has said.
    "Well, we can deliver that here. When you look forward to the new Twenty20 competition this takes us to the next level."
    The club is expected to clear existing debts by 2022 and have approached the ECB for funding the 50 million pounds ($63.65 million) redevelopment in exchange for sharing ticket sale revenues.


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