Private bus strike withdrawn

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  The indefinite strike called by private buses in protest against motor vehicle department’s decision tomake it mandatory for the buses to fix speed governors, has been withdrawn. By noon, buses will completely operate services. A decision to withdraw the strike which began today was taken following talks held by Union Minister K V Thomas and T N Prathapan MLA with leaders of the striking panel. The leaders later held talks with Transport Minister Aryadan Muhammed and decided to withdraw the strike.

The co-ordination committee of the bus owners informed that they are not keen in going forward with the strike and is ready for talks. The panel said the government had assured to consider their reasonable demands. Bus owners will hold talks with transport minister in the capital city in the wake of the strike withdrawn and will seek more time to fix speed governors.

Private bus strike withdrawn

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  The indefinite strike called by private buses in protest against motor vehicle department’s decision tomake it mandatory for the buses to fix speed governors, has been withdrawn. By noon, buses will completely operate services. A decision to withdraw the strike which began today was taken following talks held by Union Minister K V Thomas and T N Prathapan MLA with leaders of the striking panel. The leaders later held talks with Transport Minister Aryadan Muhammed and decided to withdraw the strike.

The co-ordination committee of the bus owners informed that they are not keen in going forward with the strike and is ready for talks. The panel said the government had assured to consider their reasonable demands. Bus owners will hold talks with transport minister in the capital city in the wake of the strike withdrawn and will seek more time to fix speed governors.

Britain supplied poisonous chemicals to Syrian government: report

London: British companies sold poisonous chemicals to the Bashar al-Assad-led Syrian government that could have been used in the alleged chemical weapons attack in Damascus, killing around 1,400 people, the Daily Mail reported on Sunday.During the period of July 2004-May 2010, the British government had issued five licences to two companies that allowed them to sell to Syria sodium fluoride, a chemical used to make sarin, the report said.

The British government Saturday admitted that the chemical was delivered to Syria, it added.In a clear breach of international protocol on the trade of dangerous substances, the British firms delivered sodium fluoride to a Syrian cosmetics company. According to intelligence experts, Assad's government uses such companies to divert chemicals into its weapons programme, the newspaper said.

'These are very disturbing revelations uncovered by the Daily Mail regarding the provision of sodium fluoride to Syria. At no time should we have allowed President Assad's regime to get its hands on this substance,' the Daily Mail quoted British MP Thomas Docherty, also a member of the Commons Arms Export Controls Committee, as saying. 'Previously we thought that while export licences had been granted, no chemicals were actually delivered. Now we know that in the build-up to the Syrian civil war, British companies - with the backing of our government - were supplying this potentially lethal substance,' Docherty said.

'While the last export licence was issued in May 2010, these licences are obtained prior to manufacture and the industry standard is for four to five months to pass before the chemicals are delivered.' 'So, we are looking at late 2010 for the British supplies of sodium fluoride reaching Syria. The government has some very serious questions to answer,' the MP said.IANS

Britain supplied poisonous chemicals to Syrian government: report

London: British companies sold poisonous chemicals to the Bashar al-Assad-led Syrian government that could have been used in the alleged chemical weapons attack in Damascus, killing around 1,400 people, the Daily Mail reported on Sunday.During the period of July 2004-May 2010, the British government had issued five licences to two companies that allowed them to sell to Syria sodium fluoride, a chemical used to make sarin, the report said.

The British government Saturday admitted that the chemical was delivered to Syria, it added.In a clear breach of international protocol on the trade of dangerous substances, the British firms delivered sodium fluoride to a Syrian cosmetics company. According to intelligence experts, Assad's government uses such companies to divert chemicals into its weapons programme, the newspaper said.

'These are very disturbing revelations uncovered by the Daily Mail regarding the provision of sodium fluoride to Syria. At no time should we have allowed President Assad's regime to get its hands on this substance,' the Daily Mail quoted British MP Thomas Docherty, also a member of the Commons Arms Export Controls Committee, as saying. 'Previously we thought that while export licences had been granted, no chemicals were actually delivered. Now we know that in the build-up to the Syrian civil war, British companies - with the backing of our government - were supplying this potentially lethal substance,' Docherty said.

'While the last export licence was issued in May 2010, these licences are obtained prior to manufacture and the industry standard is for four to five months to pass before the chemicals are delivered.' 'So, we are looking at late 2010 for the British supplies of sodium fluoride reaching Syria. The government has some very serious questions to answer,' the MP said.IANS

Fraud worth crore: Police to seek woman under custody

Sulthan Bathery: Bathery police said that they will file an applications to seek Cheeran Kallunkal Mary under custody who was held for frauds worth crores and the application would be submitted in Bathery first class judicial magistrate court. Investigation officer AR Premkumar said the police decided to arrest the accused under custody, as there is increase in number of complaints against her. Special branch at the same time began to collect information from complainants. Police is also collecting copies of documents like fake court order and bank investment. The complainants also asked to collect information on her bank account and sim card. Mary herself confessed to media persons that she has as many as 10 sim cards. Some of the investigators disclosed that they when they searched her home, they seized guarantee jewels in kilos. There are allegations that efforts are on to rescue her by charging only cheating case. .

Fraud worth crore: Police to seek woman under custody

Sulthan Bathery: Bathery police said that they will file an applications to seek Cheeran Kallunkal Mary under custody who was held for frauds worth crores and the application would be submitted in Bathery first class judicial magistrate court. Investigation officer AR Premkumar said the police decided to arrest the accused under custody, as there is increase in number of complaints against her. Special branch at the same time began to collect information from complainants. Police is also collecting copies of documents like fake court order and bank investment. The complainants also asked to collect information on her bank account and sim card. Mary herself confessed to media persons that she has as many as 10 sim cards. Some of the investigators disclosed that they when they searched her home, they seized guarantee jewels in kilos. There are allegations that efforts are on to rescue her by charging only cheating case. .

Serena Williams defeats Victoria Azarenka to win US Open

NEW YORK: World number one Serena Williams captured her fifth US Open title, and second in a row, by outlasting second-ranked Victoria Azarenka 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 6-1 to claim her 17th career Grand Slam crown on Sunday.
The 31-year-old American became the oldest Open Era women's winner in US Open history, 293 days older than Margaret Court when she set the prior mark in 1973, and the third-oldest Grand Slam women's champion of the Open Era.

Williams won $3.6 million, including a $1 million bonus for her success in US open tune-up events.She is the first top-seeded champion since Justine Henin in 2007 and the first woman to defend the US Open crown since Kim Clijsters in 2010.

Williams won a rematch of last year's US Open final that gave her and Azarenka a combined total of six of the eight major titles from the past two years.Williams improved to 13-3 in their rivalry but two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka had won two of the previous three, most recently in last month's Cincinnati final.'Victoria you played unbelievable,' Williams said. 'What a great match and a great person. It's an honour to play against you.

'Vika is such a great opponent and such a great fighter. That's why she has won multiple Grand Slam titles. It was never over until match point.'
Azarenka admitted Williams was the superior performer in windy conditions at Arthur Ashe stadium.'It's a tough loss but being in the final against the best player, who deserves the win, it's incredible,' Azarenka said. 'I gave it everything I had. I fought hard but well deserved. Congratulations Serena.'Williams matched Steffi Graf for second on the Open Era list with five US Open trophies, one shy of Chris Evert's record, and moved one adrift of Martina Navratilova and Evert for second on the Open Era Slam win list.

Graf has the Open Era record of 22 while Australian Margaret Court owns the all-time mark of 24.The match lasted two hours and 45 minutes to become the longest US Open women's final since timing began in 1980, five minutes longer than the old mark set in 1981 when Tracy Austin outlasted US compatriot Martina Navratilova 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/1).Williams became the first woman since Justine Henin in 2007 to win the US and French Opens in the same year.

With the victory, Williams has won more than $9 million in 2013, a one-year women's record, and boosted her career winnings above $50 million as well as capturing her ninth title of the year, a one-season personal best.
Williams, who lost only 16 games over her first six matches, battled windy conditions and a determined foe in a rematch of last year's final to add to the New York hardcourt trophy haul that included wins in 1999, 2002, 2008 and 2012.
Williams seized a 4-1 lead in the second set but Azarenka broke her twice as she served for the match, and took her into a tie-breaker, where she was twice denied by the American on set points.

But after Azarenka swatted a service winner to lead 7-6, Williams sent a forehand long and found herself in a third set.
Azarenka owned the momentum entering the final set but double faulted away a break to Williams, who promptly fired three aces in the fifth game to hold for a a 4-1 lead, one of them the fastest of the tournament by anyone at 126 mph.

When Azarenka netted a baseline forehand to surrender a break, Williams had her third chance to serve for the title.This time, she did not fail. Both women hit 57 percent of their first serves, Williams improving after a horrid start while adjusting to the wind.

Azarenka worked magical drop shots and won 10 of 15 points when she came to the net. Williams had 36 winners and 35 unforced errors to 17 winners and 27 unforced errors for Azarenka.

Swirling winds baffled both players from the start before 23,584 spectators at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Williams and Azarenka exchanging breaks to open the match as they adapted to the breezy conditions.

'I can't play in this wind,' Williams muttered after the third game, with her pink dress bottom often flapping in the breeze when she swung at the ball, a choice of wardrobe malfunction given the blustery conditions.

Twice Williams was called for foot faults, a reminder of the tirade she unleashed for a foot fault call against her in a 2009 US Open semifinal with Kim Clijsters, one that caused her to surrender the match on a penalty point. AFP

Serena Williams defeats Victoria Azarenka to win US Open

NEW YORK: World number one Serena Williams captured her fifth US Open title, and second in a row, by outlasting second-ranked Victoria Azarenka 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 6-1 to claim her 17th career Grand Slam crown on Sunday.
The 31-year-old American became the oldest Open Era women's winner in US Open history, 293 days older than Margaret Court when she set the prior mark in 1973, and the third-oldest Grand Slam women's champion of the Open Era.

Williams won $3.6 million, including a $1 million bonus for her success in US open tune-up events.She is the first top-seeded champion since Justine Henin in 2007 and the first woman to defend the US Open crown since Kim Clijsters in 2010.

Williams won a rematch of last year's US Open final that gave her and Azarenka a combined total of six of the eight major titles from the past two years.Williams improved to 13-3 in their rivalry but two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka had won two of the previous three, most recently in last month's Cincinnati final.'Victoria you played unbelievable,' Williams said. 'What a great match and a great person. It's an honour to play against you.

'Vika is such a great opponent and such a great fighter. That's why she has won multiple Grand Slam titles. It was never over until match point.'
Azarenka admitted Williams was the superior performer in windy conditions at Arthur Ashe stadium.'It's a tough loss but being in the final against the best player, who deserves the win, it's incredible,' Azarenka said. 'I gave it everything I had. I fought hard but well deserved. Congratulations Serena.'Williams matched Steffi Graf for second on the Open Era list with five US Open trophies, one shy of Chris Evert's record, and moved one adrift of Martina Navratilova and Evert for second on the Open Era Slam win list.

Graf has the Open Era record of 22 while Australian Margaret Court owns the all-time mark of 24.The match lasted two hours and 45 minutes to become the longest US Open women's final since timing began in 1980, five minutes longer than the old mark set in 1981 when Tracy Austin outlasted US compatriot Martina Navratilova 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/1).Williams became the first woman since Justine Henin in 2007 to win the US and French Opens in the same year.

With the victory, Williams has won more than $9 million in 2013, a one-year women's record, and boosted her career winnings above $50 million as well as capturing her ninth title of the year, a one-season personal best.
Williams, who lost only 16 games over her first six matches, battled windy conditions and a determined foe in a rematch of last year's final to add to the New York hardcourt trophy haul that included wins in 1999, 2002, 2008 and 2012.
Williams seized a 4-1 lead in the second set but Azarenka broke her twice as she served for the match, and took her into a tie-breaker, where she was twice denied by the American on set points.

But after Azarenka swatted a service winner to lead 7-6, Williams sent a forehand long and found herself in a third set.
Azarenka owned the momentum entering the final set but double faulted away a break to Williams, who promptly fired three aces in the fifth game to hold for a a 4-1 lead, one of them the fastest of the tournament by anyone at 126 mph.

When Azarenka netted a baseline forehand to surrender a break, Williams had her third chance to serve for the title.This time, she did not fail. Both women hit 57 percent of their first serves, Williams improving after a horrid start while adjusting to the wind.

Azarenka worked magical drop shots and won 10 of 15 points when she came to the net. Williams had 36 winners and 35 unforced errors to 17 winners and 27 unforced errors for Azarenka.

Swirling winds baffled both players from the start before 23,584 spectators at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Williams and Azarenka exchanging breaks to open the match as they adapted to the breezy conditions.

'I can't play in this wind,' Williams muttered after the third game, with her pink dress bottom often flapping in the breeze when she swung at the ball, a choice of wardrobe malfunction given the blustery conditions.

Twice Williams was called for foot faults, a reminder of the tirade she unleashed for a foot fault call against her in a 2009 US Open semifinal with Kim Clijsters, one that caused her to surrender the match on a penalty point. AFP

Wrestling reinstated in Olympics

Buenos Aires: Wrestling was back in the Olympic family after an intense vote by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) members here Sunday, leaving behind baseball/softball and squash.Wrestling won the first round of voting with 49 of the 95 votes cast. The joint bid by baseball/softball, not on the programme since 2008, got 24 votes, while squash, which has never featured in the Olympics, received 22.

Earlier in the day, the IOC approved the 25 core sports at the Summer Games with a 77-16 majority.Wrestling will now be seen not only in the 2020 Tokyo Games but also in the 2024 Summer Olympics.It has been a great turnaround of fortunes for wrestling that was dropped in February this year by the 15-member executive board as IOC looked to refresh its sports programme.It provoked an unprecedented outcry.

Wrestling dates back to the ancient Olympics. Either Greco-Roman or freestyle wrestling or both have been in every modern Olympics, except in 1900.
In May, the same executive board gave wrestling a second chance as it put it on the three sport shortlist to be considered by the entire IOC membership in Buenos Aires.World body FILA had made extraordinary progress since being provisionally dropped by the IOC, changing its leadership, making the management more democratic and transparent and revising competition rules.

'Thank you for this opportunity of saving our sport,' wrestling federation president Nenad Lalovic told the IOC. 'This is the most important day in our 3,000-year history. Remaining in the Olympics is crucial for wrestling's survival.'

Lalovic, a Serbian, has been leading reforms and was also at the forefront of lobbying since he was installed president after his predecessor was forced to resign in the aftermath of the sport being dropped from Olympics.'We made mistakes and admitted to them,' Lalovic said while answering questions from IOC members after the 20-minute presentation.

Lalovic that it would be a decision the IOC would not regret.'With this vote, you have shown that the steps we have taken to improve our sport have made a difference. I assure each of you that our modernisation will not stop now. We will continue to strive to be the best partner to the Olympic Movement that we can be.

'To the millions of wrestlers, supporters and fans around the world that came together to save Olympic wrestling; I offer a very big thank you,' said Lalovic, whose son represented Serbia at the international level.He added: 'Every one of you fought very hard for this victory.'

Wrestling reinstated in Olympics

Buenos Aires: Wrestling was back in the Olympic family after an intense vote by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) members here Sunday, leaving behind baseball/softball and squash.Wrestling won the first round of voting with 49 of the 95 votes cast. The joint bid by baseball/softball, not on the programme since 2008, got 24 votes, while squash, which has never featured in the Olympics, received 22.

Earlier in the day, the IOC approved the 25 core sports at the Summer Games with a 77-16 majority.Wrestling will now be seen not only in the 2020 Tokyo Games but also in the 2024 Summer Olympics.It has been a great turnaround of fortunes for wrestling that was dropped in February this year by the 15-member executive board as IOC looked to refresh its sports programme.It provoked an unprecedented outcry.

Wrestling dates back to the ancient Olympics. Either Greco-Roman or freestyle wrestling or both have been in every modern Olympics, except in 1900.
In May, the same executive board gave wrestling a second chance as it put it on the three sport shortlist to be considered by the entire IOC membership in Buenos Aires.World body FILA had made extraordinary progress since being provisionally dropped by the IOC, changing its leadership, making the management more democratic and transparent and revising competition rules.

'Thank you for this opportunity of saving our sport,' wrestling federation president Nenad Lalovic told the IOC. 'This is the most important day in our 3,000-year history. Remaining in the Olympics is crucial for wrestling's survival.'

Lalovic, a Serbian, has been leading reforms and was also at the forefront of lobbying since he was installed president after his predecessor was forced to resign in the aftermath of the sport being dropped from Olympics.'We made mistakes and admitted to them,' Lalovic said while answering questions from IOC members after the 20-minute presentation.

Lalovic that it would be a decision the IOC would not regret.'With this vote, you have shown that the steps we have taken to improve our sport have made a difference. I assure each of you that our modernisation will not stop now. We will continue to strive to be the best partner to the Olympic Movement that we can be.

'To the millions of wrestlers, supporters and fans around the world that came together to save Olympic wrestling; I offer a very big thank you,' said Lalovic, whose son represented Serbia at the international level.He added: 'Every one of you fought very hard for this victory.'