Djokovic beats Murray for fourth time, wins Aus Open 2016

Today, Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic defeated Scottish Andy Murray 6𔂿, 7𔃃, 7𔃄 in the Australian Open 2016 final to win the Grand Slam event for the sixth time. Murray has lost five Australian Open finals, facing Djokovic in all but one of them.

File photo of six time Aus Open winner Novak Djokovic
Image: globalite.

Djokovic dominated the first set, winning 6𔂿 in just half an hour; with seven aces total throughout the match. Murray fought back in the second set, which went up to twelve games lasting for 80 minutes. It was the longest set and Murray had nine aces, twelve in total for the match. Djokovic had 41 unforced errors, compared to Murray's 65.

The third set lasted for 63 minutes having score 6𔃄 which went to a tie breaker, but finally, Djokovic won the tie breaker 7𔃁, winning the eleventh Grand Slam title of his career.

Djokovic has now equalled the record of Roy Emerson winning six Australian Opens. Djokovic after the match said "Andy you are a great champion and friend. I'm sure you'll have more opportunities to fight for this trophy". Murray congratulated Djokovic, saying "I feel like I've been here before. Congrats Novak. Six Australian Opens is an incredible feat. The last year has been incredible. Good job." He also left a message for his wife Kim Sears, "I'll be on the next flight home." The couple is expecting a baby.

Yesterday, Jamie Murray, Andy Murray's elder brother, won the Australian Open Men's doubles with Bruno Soares. Andy Murray was there in the audience, recording his brother's speech. To which Jamie said "Andy, you should be in bed!"

       MEN'S SINGLES FINAL

30'

80'

63'

 

 

(1) Novak DJOKOVICSRB

6

7

7⁷

 

 

(2) Andy MURRAYGBR

1

5

6³

 

 

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Kerber wins over Serena Williams 6-4 3-6 6-4 in Aus Open 2016

Today, German tennis player Angelique Kerber defeated defending champion Serena Williams in the Australian Open 2016 Final at Rod Laver Arena.

File photo of Angelique Kerber, winner of the Aus Open 2016
Image: Foto: Stefan Brending / Lizenz: Creative Commons CC-by-sa-3.0 de.

	Now I've won the Australian Open...that sounds really weird!
—Angelique Kerber

This was the first Grand Slam event title for Kerber. Since Steffi Graf won the French Open in 1994, no German until Kerber won a Grand Slam event. Williams missed a chance to equal the 22 Grand Slam event title record by Graf.

The seventh seeded Kerber took the early lead winning the set 6𔃂 in 39 minutes, with five aces throughout the match. Williams, with seven aces throughout the match, snatched the second set 6𔃁 in just 33 minutes. Kerber had just thirteen unforced errors compared to Williams's 46.

The third set was the longest one, extended till 56 minutes, and Kerber winning the set 6𔃂, and the event title in the end. Williams committed three double faults in the last set.

Following the match, she said "I'm a really normal girl, I like going out to dinner & going to the cinema. Like any girl [...] Now I've won the Australian Open...that sounds really weird!" She added that Graf was still an idol for her.

Novak Djokovic, five time Australian Open congratulated her on Twitter, and appreciated both players' sportsmanship. Djokovic is to play Andy Murray tomorrow in the men's final.

       WOMEN'S SINGLES FINAL

39'

33'

56'

 

 

     Serena WILLIAMSUS

4

6

4

 

 

     Angelique KERBERGER

6

3

6

 

 

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6-1, 6-2, 3-6 and 6-3: Djokovic beats Federer and advances to Aus Open 2016 Final

Today, defending champion Novak Djokovic defeated Swiss professional Rodger Federer 6𔂿, 6𔃀, 3𔃄 6𔃁 in the Australian Open 2016 semi-final. Djokovic previously featured in five Australian finals, winning them all.

Serbian Djokovic won the first set 6𔂿 in just 22 minutes, with ten aces total through the match. It took 32 minutes to complete the second set 6𔃁, with Federer winning three games of the set, and serving five aces through the entire match. Djokovic had only 20 unforced errors, as-compared to Federer's 51. The seven-time Wimbledon winner, Federer, made a comeback in the third set, winning it 6𔃁. It was the longest set of the match, taking 45 minutes.

Djokovic managed to win the fourth set 6𔃁 in 40 minutes, thus going through to the final. With this defeat, Federer suffered a third straight defeat by Djokovic. Last year, he lost the US Open to Djokovic who won 6𔃂, 5𔃅, 6𔃂, 6𔃂. Dojkovic won three out of four Grand Slams last year, only losing to Swiss player Stan Wawarinka at Roland Garros in the French Open.

Current number one seed Djokovic will play the 2016 Australian Open Final against the winner of Andy Murray, seeded number two, versus Milos Raonic on Sunday.

       MEN'S SINGLES SEMIFINAL

22'

32'

45'

40'

 

(1) Novak DJOKOVICSRB

6

6

3

6

 

(3) Rodger FEDERERSUI

1

2

6

3

 

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Costa scores only goal as Chelsea beats Arsenal

On Sunday, London-based football club Chelsea F.C. defeated local rivals Arsenal F.C. 0𔂿 in a Premier League match played at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.

File photo of Diego Costa who scored the only goal of the match
Image: Aleksandr Osipov.

The Gunners were reduced to ten men in the 18^th minute. Per Mertesacker brought down Diego Costa after a pass from Willian gave Costa a good opportunity to run towards Arsenal's goal, and the referee showed Mertesacker the red card. Five minutes later, Costa scored at close range from Branislav Ivanović's cross, putting the visitors 1𔂾 ahead.

The local derby saw four yellow cards and at least 25 fouls. Oscar was the first player to be booked in the 11^th minute. Mathieu Flamini was shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Willian moments before the end of the first half.

The Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger substituted Alexis Sánchez for Joel Campbell in the 57^th minute. Three minutes later, Nemanja Matić received a yellow card. Costa was injured during the match, and Loïc Rémy replaced him in the 68^th minute. John Obi Mikel was booked in the 72^nd minute. The match ended 0𔂿, and Guus Hiddink's team, who had had the greater share of possession of the ball during the match, collected three points.

After the match, Wenger blamed Costa for Mertesacker's sending-off. Wenger said, "He got him sent off — you cannot say it's not true."

In Sunday's other Premier League match, Everton lost 1𔃀 at home to Swansea.

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Víctor Valdés to play in Belgian Pro League; Manchester United loans Valdés to Standard Liège till season end

On Sunday, Manchester United announced loaning their goalkeeper Víctor Valdés to a Belgian club Standard Liège for the rest of the season.

File photo of Víctor Valdés
Image: Дмитрий Неймырок.

Last year, Spanish goalkeeper Víctor Valdés signed a one-and-half-year contract with the English club, but the three-time UEFA Champions League winner was given very little opportunity at the Old Trafford. He made only two appearances for The Reds' previous season, following an injury to goalkeeper David de Gea. Relations between Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal and Valdés were not good. Van Gaal did not pick him for the pre-season tour to the United States.

This season, he wasn't even allowed in the locker room. van Gaal denied him from training with the other teammates nor with the under-21 team. The official team photograph omitted him.

Valdés was in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2012 Spain's squad collecting those gold medals. Per Manchester United's statement, "Manchester United and Standard Liege have reached agreement for the temporary transfer of goalkeeper Victor Valdes, effective until the end of the current season. The deal is subject to formalities being completed."

On Instagram, he posted a photo that read "Thank you all for your support during these months of hard work for me, i will never forget! See you soon!"

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Quake strikes near Anchorage, Alaska; no injuries reported

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) a magnitude 7.1 earthquake stuck Alaska, United States, near the state's most populous city of Anchorage. City authorities say they do not know of any injuries caused by the earthquake, which occurred early yesterday morning.

The earthquake's epicentre was 162 miles (about 260 km) away from Anchorage, where residents reported feeling intense shaking. Associated Press reporter Mark Thiessen said he was woken from sleep by the quake, despite having taken sleeping pills earlier.

In the city of Kenai, gas explosions destroyed two homes. The quake destroyed four homes in total; the two other homes were damaged by fire, but did not explode. Authorities said around twenty people took shelter in a local armoury opened up for those whose homes were evacuated.

In Anchorage, utility companies reported small-scale power outages.

The quake was followed by two smaller quakes. Its focus was around 50 miles (80 km) underground, which, according to the National Weather Service, meant that the quake struck too deep to cause a tsunami.

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Detroit teachers stage sickout to protest working conditions as Obama visits

A majority of Detroit public schools were closed yesterday due to a coordinated "sickout" of teachers. This work stoppage was the latest in a series of showdowns with state government and was timed with an arrival by the President to attend an auto show. Activists used the opportunity to hold rallies to air their grievances publicly.

Educators have staged several work stoppages to protest the dilapidated state of public schools as well as Governor Rick Snyder's plan for the schools, which involves spliting the school district in two. Yesterday's protest closed over 85 schools and followed last week's efforts which shut down more than 60 and prompted visits to school sites by Mayor Mike Duggan and inspectors. Detroit Public Schools is several hundred million dollars in debt and has been under the administration of emergency manager Darnell Earley for a year.

The "sickout" strategy attempts to sidestep Michigan law which prohibits teacher strikes. Schools have been found with mold in walls, crumbling infrastructure, and infestations.

In response to the sickout, the school district has filed a lawsuit and sought an injunction against the union as well as individual activists and teachers.

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Alan Rickman dies at 69 due to cancer

Today, the family of English actor Alan Rickman announced his death at the age of 69 in London from cancer. As per the family statement "he was surrounded by family and friends" at the time of death.

File photo of Rickman
Image: Justin Hoch.

Rickman started his film career as an antagonist in Die Hard — in which he played the role of Hans Gruber in 1988. He was 41 at that time. He won the British Academy Film Awards for his role as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves in 1991. He played a ghost lover of Juliet Stevenson's character in Truly Madly Deeply.

He also portrayed as Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series, an adaption of the novel series written by J. K. Rowling. Rowling tweeted "There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman's death. He was a magnificent actor & a wonderful man".

A well known actor in Britain, he also directed My Name Is Rachel Corrie, an award-winning 2005 play based on emails of Rachel Corrie who was killed in the Gaza Strip protesting Israel Defense Forces actions.

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Luis Enrique wins 2015 FIFA World Coach of the Year

On Monday, Luis Enrique won the 2015 FIFA World Coach of the Year in Zürich, Switzerland.

In his first year as manager of FC Barcelona, Enrique won five trophies, including the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup. The other finalists were Pep Guardiola, a former Barcelona coach and current manager of the German giants Bayern Munich, and Argentine Jorge Sampaoli, the coach of Chile's national football team.

	The staff, the president, the board, the fans and our players. This is an incredible dream team that has pushed us forward.
—Robert Fernandez (On Luis Enrique's behalf)

File photo of Luis Enrique
Image: Олег Дубина.

Guardiola led Bayern to the Bundesliga title and under Sampoli, Chile won their first ever-Copa América, defeating Argentina 4𔂿 on penalties. Enrique won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Champions League — just the second time the club has won that treble — the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. Barcelona also defeated their arch-rivals Real Madrid 4𔂾 in November.

Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez attended the ceremony and collected the award on behalf of Enrique, who did not attend the function. Fernandez said "It must have been a very difficult choice because the other candidates [are of] very, very high quality,". He also added that Enrique wanted to share the award with all those people who "who have supported him in difficult times and good times. The staff, the president, the board, the fans and our players. This is an incredible dream team that has pushed us forward."

Earlier in the ceremony, Jill Ellis, who coached the United States's women's football team to win the World Cup, was announced as the FIFA Football Women's Coach of the year.

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Wendell Lira wins FIFA Puskás Award 2015

Wendell Lira, a Brazilian striker, won the 2015 FIFA Puskás Award in Zürich on Monday. The Puskás Award is given to a football player voted by the public to have scored the best goal of the year.

Lira's goal was a bicycle kick, in a 2𔂿 victory for Goianésia on March 11; he has since moved to Vila Nova. His goal won 46.7% of the vote, with about 1.6 million people voting. He won the award ahead of five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, whose solo goal against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final won 33.3% of the vote. Alessandro Florenzi, who plays for AS Roma, scored a 50m long-range goal against FC Barcelona in a UEFA Champions League group stage match, came third with 7.1% of the vote.

When Lira's name was announced he broke into tears. He said "It honestly feels like a dream." Only 297 spectators were present in the stadium, Lira said, when he scored the goal in a regional championship of the second division. He added "I could never have guessed that it would change my life so much".

This was his first time in Europe. As a player of a second division football club, he said "I've been struggling to get my head around meeting so many stars, let alone being up for [the] award with Messi and then having my goal beat his in the vote." Lira also thanked "my family and all those who voted for me."

Messi praised the goal. "The fact is it's a great goal and he deserved it. The award is in good hands".

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FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 goes to Lionel Messi

Yesterday, Argentina and FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi won the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or in the FIFA event, hosted in Zürich, Switzerland. Ballon d'Or is an annual award to the best player of the year via voting.

	It's incredible that it's my fifth. Much more than anything I would have dreamed of as a kid.((es))
—Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi with Carli Lloyd at the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala yesterday.
Image: Marcelo Brandão/ABr.

Messi along with his Barcelona teammate Neymar and Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo were short listed by FIFA back in November. Having won five major trophies in the 2015 calendar year, which included the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup in December in Japan against an Argentine club River Plate in which he scored the first goal, Messi won 41.33% of the votes in the Gala.

Winner in previous years Ronaldo secured 27.76% of votes, and Messi's teammate Neymar won 7.86%. Messi played 61 games in 2015, and scored 52 goals. He also provided 26 assists. With these stats, he also scored in each of the six tournaments.

At the ceremony, Messi said "It's a very special moment for me to be back here on this stage, winning again another Ballon d'Or after seeing Cristiano win it". "It's incredible that it's my fifth. Much more than anything I would have dreamed of as a kid."^((es))

Messi previously won the La Liga best player of the year; and UEFA Best Player in Europe Award with 49 votes out of 54, leaving behind his teammate Luis Suárez and Ronaldo who got three and two votes respectively. He also gathered a silver medal in the 2015 Copa América when Argentina lost to the hosts Chile over penalties.

Messi previously won the award for four consecutive years from 2009 to 2012. Ronaldo and Messi between them have won the trophy for the past eight years. Neymar this year became the first top-three Brazilian since Kaká's 2007 win.

Messi voted for his teammates Neymar, Suárez, and Andrés Iniesta; Neymar voted for Messi, Suárez, and Ivan Rakitić. Neymar at the ceremony said "It is a dream for me to be here, it's a victory".

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Messi scores hat-trick as Barça become table toppers

Yesterday, FC Barcelona collected three points defeating Granada-based football club Granada CF 4𔂾 at Camp Nou in Barcelona in a La Liga match and became league leaders again.

File photo of Lionel Messi, who scored the hat-trick
Image: L.F.Salas.

Barcelona had greater ball possession. The match saw five yellow cards. Four away players and Alexis Vidal of Barcelona were yellow carded. More than thirty fouls were committed in the match. Lionel Messi scored the first goal of the match in the 8^th minute, assisted by debutant Arda Turan. Minutes later, Uruguayan Luis Suárez assisted Messi and he netted the second goal in the 14^th minute. Rubén Rochina was the first player to be booked in the 29^th minute. First half ended in 2𔂾 with one yellow card shown.

	I'm very satisfied with how the team played.
—Luis Enrique

In the second half Edgar Méndez and David Lombán of Granada were booked in 56^th and 57^th minute. In the next minute, Sergi Roberto assisted Brazilian Neymar whose try to net a goal was saved, but the ball deflected and Messi scored the third goal of the match, completing his hat-trick.

Dória was yellow carded at the 60^th minute. Three minuted later, Alex Vidal was yellow carded for a bad foul. Neymar, in the 83^rd minute, scored the fourth goal of the match assisted by Suárez.

After the match, Barcelona manager Luis Enrique said "I'm very satisfied with how the team played. Everybody was focused from the beginning and the players knew how important it was to win these three points."

Also yesterday Zinedine Zidane, recently appointed Real Madrid's new manager, secured a 5𔂾 win against Deportivo with Welsh winger Gareth Bale scoring a hat-trick as well.

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Man threatens police with knife at Paris police station, shot dead

According to officials, a man, whose identity was not disclosed, entered a Paris, France police station yesterday brandishing a knife before police fatally shot him. Investigators said they have found evidence indicating the attacker was associated with the militant group ISIS.

A witness account to French news network i-Télé said police first told the man to move back. The suspect wore a replica of a suicide vest that police weren't initially able to identify as fake and shouted "Allahu Akbar" as he threatened police with his knife.

The Morocco-born suspect had a piece of paper on him with an ISIS flag, said investigators, and a claim of responsibility for the attempted attack. Authorities said he was involved in a 2013 robbery case.

Authorities locked down local schools and closed down shops following the incident, and public transit was affected.

Earlier, the government said they planned to allow authorities to use lethal force on people who "just committed one or several murders and [are] likely to repeat these crimes." Exactly a year ago yesterday, a shooting killed twelve at the Paris offices of the weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo, which had published cartoons depicting the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

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Rafael Benítez out as Real Madrid appoints Zidane their new manager

Spanish Rafael Benítez was sacked from the manager post of Madrid-based football club Real Madrid on Monday. Zinedine Zidane was appointed coach replacing Benítez.

File photo of Rafael Benítez in 2015.
Image: Богдан Заяц.

Real Madrid, who went trophy-less last season, sacked Italian Carlo Ancelotti and hired former Liverpool manager Benítez for the season 2015�. Rafa had previously won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool F.C., UEFA Super Cup with Valencia C.F., and UEFA Europa League with London-based club Chelsea F.C. But Benítez with Real Madrid had a win percentage of 68%. With a 4𔂾 defeat in the El Clásico at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and a shocking exit from 2015󈝼 Copa del Rey for including Russian Denis Cheryshev in the squad who was ineligible to play, Benítez was heavily critised.

Having won only seventeen out of 25 matches with Los Blancos, Benítez's last match for Real Madrid ended in a 2𔃀 draw to Valencia in an away match on Sunday; they are third in the La Liga table and four points behind the table toppers and local rivals Atlético Madrid.

	I'm going to put my heart and soul into this club
—Zinedine Zidane

File photo of Zinedine Zidane in 2008.
Image: Raphaël Labbé.

Zinedine Zidane is a former Real Madrid legend and coach of Real's reserve team, Real Madrid Castilla. Real's president Florentino Pérez appointed the Frenchman and said Zidane "knows better than anyone just what it means to lead the Real Madrid first-team squad."

Madrid in twelve years of Pérez presidency has had eleven new managers. Zidane, expressing his gratitude to Pérez, said "I'm going to put my heart and soul into this club".

Zidane was assistant manager to Ancelotti when Real Madrid won their tenth European Championship. Back in 2001, Real Madrid payed Turin-based club Juventus F.C. £45.8 million to sign Zidane. Pérez said to Zidane, "This is your stadium and your club and you have all our confidence and trust to make the fans excited once more. It makes me proud because I know that for you the word impossible does not exist."

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Saudi Arabia executes 47 people as 'terrorists'

Yesterday, Saudi Arabian officials said they have executed 47 people whom courts convicted as terrorists.

Officials said the executions were not done in public. Saudi cleric Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh in justifying the executions cited Saudi Arabia's interpretation of Sharia Law and said the executions prevented the accused from committing further crime, calling it a form of "mercy".

File photo of Dira Square, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where public executions are carried out under Sharia Law; Saudi officials said the 47 people executed were not executed publicly, but rather within prisons.
Image: Luke Richard Thompson.

Some of those executed were reportedly Al-Qaeda militants behind terrorist attacks. Before the executions, an Al-Qaeda branch from Yemen threatened Saudi authorities with violence if they executed their members.

Among those executed was a Shia Muslim cleric who criticized both the royal family of Saudi Arabia and that of Bahrain; he condemned Bahrain's suppression of protests with Saudi aid. He reportedly avoided advocating violence. He was convicted of causing violence against authorities, and a Saudi court rejected his appeal of his conviction this past year. His execution led to condemnation from Iranian officials, who had previously said it "would cost Saudi Arabia dearly".

When news broke the 47 were to be executed, in November, regional Amnesty International director James Lynch said Saudi Arabia was settling "political scores" under "the guise of counter-terrorism."

The organization said at least 150 people have been executed in Saudi Arabia in 2015, while only 90 were executed a year ago in 2014.

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Fire breaks out at Dubai, United Arab Emirates hotel on New Year's Eve

A fire broke out at a high-rise hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) at local night yesterday, apparently involving a large portion of the hotel. A crowd had gathered around The Address Hotel for the New Year’s celebration, but they were evacuated due to the fire. The cause of the fire was unclear, and there were conflicting reports on the number of people injured.

A thick column of smoke rose up from the hotel, and two large explosions have occurred during the fire. The smoke obscured the nearby Burj Khalifa tower, the tallest building in the world, according to Nadia Huraimi, a BBC correspondent in Dubai at the time, even though the tower was brightly illuminated.

Witness reports said the fire caused people to run away in panic. Firetrucks were dispatched to the hotel, and according to what officials said at 11 p.m., the fire had mostly been controlled. Despite this, the fire continued on into midnight. Officials said guests at The Address would be given accommodation at other hotels.

Reports on the number of people injured were conflicting. While officials said the fire injured sixteen people, lightly for the most part, an anonymous medic told Reuters the fire injured at least 60.

Despite the fire, a fireworks show for New Year's continued as planned at the Burj Khalifa even as the hotel burned.

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