Translate

Search This Blog

Thursday, March 5, 2009

England face selection quandaries

Fifth Test, Port of Spain: West Indies v England
Dates: 6-10 March Start time: 1400 GMT Venue: Queen's Park OvalEngland face a difficult balancing act over team selection for the final Test against the West Indies on Friday.

They must win in Trinidad to square the series and could bring in two from Steve Harmison, Amjad Khan, Adil Rashid or Monty Panesar to boost their attack. If five bowlers are chosen, Matt Prior, back behind the stumps, could bat at six, meaning Owais Shah or Barbados centurion Ravi Bopara will make way. "We have a fairly good idea of our team," skipper Andrew Strauss said. Strauss, together with selector James Whitaker, assistant coach Andy Flower and bowling coach Ottis Gibson spent time assessing the surface ahead of the team's final net session. "We wanted to have another look at the wicket, because obviously they've been doing a lot of rolling of it," the captain said. "But we have a fairly good idea of our team. I suppose fundamental to all of it is what is the best way of winning this game.

13 Marines Injured When Tour Buses Crash in North Carolina

13 Marines were injured after their three tour buses crashed near Camp Lejeune Thursday morning. Marine Corps Capt. Clark Carpenter said a bus driver was critically injured and air lifted to a hospital after the accident in Jones County, in eastern North Carolina. He said none of the Marines was seriously hurt. Jones County authorities said the wreck occurred about 7:45 a.m. on U.S. Highway 17 near Maysville, about 20 miles north of Camp Lejeune. Investigators believe the third bus failed to stop for traffic and collided with the bus it was following, according to Carpenter. Carpenter said 59 Marines and one sailor were on the buses traveling to Norfolk, Va. The troops are scheduled to begin training exercises March 10 in advance of their deployments. The Marines are all part of the 22nd Expeditionary Unit out of Camp Lejeune, who are to deploy as a reserve units to in the European and Middle East regions this spring. Marines on the scene described the injuries as "routine" and would not elaborate any further. The injured Marines were transferred to the Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital for treatment. The rest boarded new buses and were on their way to Norfolk.

Ronaldo struck by bizarre injury

Brazilian striker Ronaldo came through his first competitive game for 13 months in one piece, but was injured by a microphone as he left the pitch. The 32-year-old made his debut for Corinthians as a 68th-minute substitute in the 2-0 win over Itumbiara. But Ronaldo was left with a badly bruised and swollen right eye after being struck by a microphone when a post-match media scrum surrounded him. Ronaldo was making his return from a third career-threatening knee injury. The striker remains far from his best physical condition and he acknowledged that it will take time before he can perform as well as before the injury. "This is just the beginning," Ronaldo said. "It doesn't stop here, I'll try to play in more matches from now on.

Kyrgyzstan open to air base talks with US

ALMATY Kyrgyzstan is ready for talks with the United States on the future of its Manas military airbase, which is due to be shut down in six months, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said.  In an interview with the British Television, Bakiyev said, "the doors are not closed" for talks.  "We are ready for any new proposals from the U.S. government aimed at stabilising the situation in Afghanistan," the channel quoted him as saying. The air base closure would be a setback to U.S. plans to boost its forces in Afghanistan. 

Sri Lankans recover after attacks

Sri Lankan cricketers Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana have undergone surgery after being hurt in the attacks in Pakistan. Samaraweera had shrapnel removed from his right leg, while Paranavitana had a bullet lodged in his chest. Seven players were injured in the ambush in Lahore and six police officers and two civilians were killed. Spinner Ajantha Mendis will remain in hospital after he had two operations to remove shrapnel from his back and head. He is not expected to play for between four-to-six weeks. "I am feeling better, and happy to be with my wife," Samaraweera said. The 32-year-old was among the most seriously wounded of the seven Sri Lanka players and has set his sights on a return to cricket in July. "Realistically, I will rest and recuperate for a few weeks and the surgeon says I should be able to resume training towards the end of April or early May," said Samaraweera, who on Monday became only the sixth batsman in history to score back-to-back double Test hundreds."The surgeon told us that it must have been a 'lucky bullet' because somehow it missed all the important bits of nerve tissue, tendons and ligaments," he added. Doctors removed shrapnel from the shoulder of vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara and from the arm of British assistant coach Paul Farbrace. "Sangakkara will be discharged Thursday and the others in due course. None of them had grave injuries," said Geethanjana Mendis, director general of the Sports Ministry medical unit. "They will be back in action in a few weeks time." Skipper Mahela Jayawardene was discharged from hospital after treatment for a minor leg injury, while Thilan Thushara and Sampath Lakmal also underwent hospital treatment. The entire 25-member squad was checked out by medical staff on their return to Sri Lanka and only six were kept in hospital. Police stepped up security at the Nawaloka hospital where the players were being treated with plain-clothed officers placed outside their hospital rooms along with regular police. No cricket fans were allowed to visit the players, with only immediate family members given access. 

Beckham would cut salary to move

David Beckham has agreed to take a salary cut as negotiations over a move from Los Angeles Galaxy to AC Milan go to the wire, BBC Sport understands. Beckham, 33, is scheduled to return to Galaxy on 9 March, but the England midfielder wants to make permanent his loan move to Milan. The deadline has put the pressure on all sides to conclude negotiations. There is understood to be a significant sticking point, and Beckham's return to LA Galaxy remains a possibility. The Major League Soccer side are sticking to their line that they expect him back on 9 March. One possible resolution is for Milan to extend the loan until the end of the Italian season. Beckham would then return to the Galaxy for the remainder of the MLS season, before heading back to Milan in November. The Englishman, who signed a five-year deal with the Galaxy in January 2007, moved to Milan in January to stay fit during the Major League Soccer off-season and so maintain his bid for an England place. Milan have been impressed with the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, however, and are keen to make the move permanent. Beckham has scored two goals in nine Serie A games during his time with Milan. 

Pakistan team’s tour of Bangladesh postponed

DHAKA Bangladesh cricket board has postponed the Pakistan team’s tour. According to the BCB, Pakistan cricket team’s tour, scheduled to be started from March 7, has been postponed. This may be recalled that the Pakistan cricket team had to leave for Bangladesh on Saturday for playing a series of five One-day Internationals and two Twenty20 matches. The first Twenty20 match was to be played on March 10. The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed the postponement of the tour.

U.S. calls for conference on Afghanistan

BRUSSELS, Belgium The United States is calling for a conference on Afghanistan and the broader regional challenge to take place March 31, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced Thursday.Clinton made the announcement in her first address as secretary of state to the North Atlantic Council at NATO. A senior U.S. official told reporters, "I would expect that Iran would be invited." Ministerial-level officials would participate. Clinton did not name a location for the conference but said the United States is discussing this now with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, including whether the U.N. would chair the meeting. Clinton said that Afghanistan must be seen as a single strategic concern and that a small area in that region is now a "nerve center for extremists." The situation on the ground right now, she said, is serious. She called for better coordination within the U.S. government, with NATO and with the international community. She said a better-integrated civilian and military strategy is needed. "Any long-term solution," she said, "will require the participation of Afghanistan's neighbors," but she did not specify any of those countries. Clinton said the second-most immediate challenge for NATO is "to forge a more constructive relationship with Russia and a stronger consensus about our relations with the emerging nations of Europe's east." As for Russia, she said, "it's time to explore a fresh start."

Putin threatens new Europe gas stoppage

MOSCOW, Russia Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has threatened to cut off natural gas supplies to Europe and Ukraine on Saturday if Ukraine fails to pay for its gas deliveries by then.The warning comes less than two months after the end of a harsh dispute between Moscow and Kiev that left much of Europe with severely reduced energy supplies for two weeks during a bitterly cold January. Backed by Ukraine's president, Ukraine's Security Service launched a raid Wednesday on Naftogaz, the country's state-run gas company. They were searching for documents in an apparent effort to derail the gas deal Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko reached with Russia's Gazprom in January, according to a Naftogaz spokesman. Putin said he is concerned about the raid "because we're hearing about attempts to seize the transit contract. Not its copy, but the original of the transit contract." The nasty dispute between the two countries at the start of the year affected millions of Europeans who depend on Russian gas supplies that go through Ukraine.

N Korea threatens civilian planes

North Korea has said it cannot ensure the safety of South Korean civilian flights passing near its airspace over the Sea of Japan (East Sea). The comment comes ahead of a joint South Korean-US military exercise, which Pyongyang says is preparation for an invasion of the communist state. Washington and Seoul say the annual drill is for purely defence purposes. Tensions are high in the region amid speculation that the North is planning to test-fire a long-range missile. In the latest of a series of bellicose statements, a North Korean committee warned that "security cannot be guaranteed for South Korean civil airplanes... in particular while the military exercises are under way". It said no one knows what "military conflicts will be touched off by the reckless war exercises".

'Final curtain call' for Jackson

LONDON, England Reclusive pop icon Michael Jackson will perform 10 concerts in London in July in what he described Thursday as a "final curtain call."The summer shows, Jackson's first major live performances in 12 years, will take place at the O2 Arena from July 8. Jackson appeared in front of fans and media at the venue Thursday to announce the "This Is It" shows. "This is it. These will be my final shows performing in London. "This Is It" really means this is it," Jackson said. "I'll be performing the songs my fans want to hear. This is the final curtain call. I'll see you in July and I love you so much." Tickets for the shows will cost £50-75 ($70-105) and will go on sale on March 13. Fans can pre-register to purchase tickets at www.MichaelJacksonLive.com.

Govt accepts BLUF demands for Solecki’s release

Pakistan, QUETTA The government has agreed to accept the demands of Balochistan Liberation United Front (BLUF) for the safe release of abducted UN official John Solecki. According to sources, BLUF had asked the government to release 1109 missing persons in exchange for Solecki’s recovery. It has also been learnt that the government has decided to take steps for the release of BLUF missing persons. Sources further told that seven out of 141 women have been identified and law enforcement agencies had also collected information about 45 persons. A high-powered committee will present a report in this connection in next few days.

Zardari consulted me on Taseer’s appointment: Musharraf

Pakistan, LAHORE Former President Pervez Musharraf has said the country is facing many challenges and conspiracies are being hatched against it. He said President Asif Ali Zardari appointed Salmaan Taseer as Governor Punjab in consultation with him. Talking to journalists after condoling death of Pakistan Muslim League-Q Chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s mother here on Thursday, Musharraf said Pakistan is facing serious challenges, however, he hoped that these would be tackled. As regards Lahore attack, former president strongly condemned Lahore attack and termed it a conspiracy to weaken the country. “There should be no conjecture or statement without substantive evidence”, he added. He said the government should improve training standard of law enforcing agencies so that they are prepared for any eventuality. Musharraf said he is in contact with Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and lauded his services for the country. In the meeting, former federal minister Javed Ashraf Qazi and others were also present.

Newcastle 1-2 Manchester United

Manchester United survived the shock of conceding an early goal at Newcastle to come from behind and secure a win that tightens their grip on the Premier League title race. A rare blunder from keeper Edwin van der Sar gave Peter Lovenkrands the opportunity to give Newcastle the lead after nine minutes when he dropped a tame shot from Jonas Gutierrez. But Wayne Rooney equalised on the turn 11 minutes later and Ryan Taylor's mistake allowed Ji-Sung Park to set up Dimitar Berbatov for a simple strike in the 56th minute that leaves United seven points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool with a game in hand. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will acknowledge that this was not a performance from the top drawer and there were moments when Newcastle - particularly Obafemi Martins - rattled his side's normally composed rearguard. But with Rooney leading from the front, scoring the equaliser and helping to set up Berbatov's winner with a typical piece of quick thinking, Manchester United once again proved they have the players to grind out victories even when they are not at their best. And if victories for Chelsea and Liverpool on Tuesday briefly rekindled their hopes of overhauling Manchester United, this victory once again underlined that Ferguson's side are now overwhelming favourites to retain their crown. The defeat leaves Newcastle hovering just above the bottom three with a tough sequence of fixtures to come, but they will take heart from their first-half display in particular, when they gave Manchester United real moments of concern.

Pakistan criticised for 'lapses'

Criticism has been mounting over apparent security lapses leading to Tuesday's attack on Sri Lanka's cricket team in the Pakistani city of Lahore. Up to 14 gunmen took part in the attack which killed six policemen and a driver, and injured eight tour members. Separately, the Pakistani police have released sketches of some of the suspected attackers. And two Sri Lankan players wounded in the attack are recovering after surgery in Colombo, their doctors say. President Asif Ali Zardari has vowed that the attackers will be caught, and punished "with iron hands". There is no word on the identities or motives of the gunmen, who escaped. 'Source of embarrassment' Reports say that, since the government had pledged to provide the highest levels of security to the Sri Lankan cricket team, the attack has undermined confidence in Pakistan's security apparatus.

Saudi apex court starts hearing of Sharia cases

RIYADH The Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia has started hearing of Sharia Hudood cases. Under Majlis-i-Shora, a team of legal experts had prepared a text to carry out court proceedings of criminal suits, which stated that Supreme Court will give the final verdict in Sharia Hudood cases. A member of Supreme Court Sheikh Shafi told reporters here that Supreme Court will now hear all the cases which were under trial in Supreme Judicial Council. Supreme Court will also decide about appointments of judges, promotions, orientation programs and other related issues. 

Israeli airstrike targets militants in Gaza

GAZA CITY, Gaza An Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Wednesday targeted Islamic Jihad militants, including a senior commander, following an attack on the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, the Israel Defense Forces said. The airstrike near Jabalya gravely injured seven Palestinian militants, including two from the Islamic Jihad who suffered life-threatening injuries, according to Palestinian security and medical sources. They did not say if the senior commander, Khaled Shalan, was one of those wounded. According to the Israeli military, more than 100 rockets, mortar shells and missiles have been fired at Israel by Palestinian militants in Gaza since Hamas leaders announced a cease-fire on January 18. Israel also announced a cease-fire and pulled its troops out of Gaza in January, ending a three-week military campaign that the Israeli military said was aimed at halting the rocket fire. Egypt has been trying to broker a broader cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel. Israel is demanding that Hamas release kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit before it fully reopens the border crossings with Gaza. Hamas has rejected discussing Shalit’s release as part of any cease-fire negotiation with Israel.

Clinton warns of Iranian threat to Europe, Russia

Iran poses a threat to Europe and Russia, both from Tehran's direct efforts and its support of terrorist groups, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday.The Tehran government is intent on interfering in the Middle East, she told reporters aboard her flight to Brussels from the region. "There is a great deal of concern about Iran from the entire region," she said. "I heard it over and over and over again in Sharm el Sheikh, in Israel, in Ramallah. "It is clear Iran intends to interfere in the internal affairs of all these people and try to continue their efforts to fund terrorism -- whether it is Hezbollah or Hamas or other proxies."  Clinton repeated President Barack Obama's desire to talk directly with the Iranians, but added that "we want to make sure it's constructive." She also reiterated what Obama said he had told Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in a "lengthy letter" -- that the proposed U.S. missile defense system in Europe targets Iran and not Russia. "We've made the point to Russia and will again, and I think they may be beginning to really believe it," Clinton said. "This is not about Russia. We have real potential threats, and obviously Iran is the name we put to them as a kind of stand-in for the range of threats we foresee."Clinton said the United States hopes Russia will join the missile defense efforts, adding, "we don't look at Russia and see a missile threat."

China 'faces most difficult year'

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has said the current year will be the most difficult the country has faced this century because of the global economic crisis. Addressing parliament, Mr Wen reiterated that there would be a $585bn (£413bn) investment programme to stimulate the Chinese economy. He also declared an annual growth target of 8% and goals to boost consumption and raise consumer demand. His address opens the annual session of the National People's Congress. The premier said he hoped to create nine million new jobs in the cities and increase local government spending budgets by almost 25%."In China, a developing country with a population of 1.3 billion, maintaining a certain growth rate for the economy is essential for expanding employment for urban and rural residents, increasing people's incomes and ensuring social stability," he said. Mr Wen was frank that China was suffering from the global financial crisis, and acknowledged the country lacked adequate social security provisions and health care. Beijing says that as more people lose their jobs in China, the lack of a social safety net is becoming a glaring problem.

Blasts destroyed Mardan’s CD market

Pakistan, MARDAN Three simultaneous blasts in CD market in Takht Bhai area of Mardan destroyed 20 shops, however no loss of life was reported. Mardan police told Geo News unidentified militants planted explosives at three places in a market of 20 shops that went off with a bang late on Wednesday night. The entire market was destroyed in the blasts but no causality was reported. The blats rocked the area and residents came out from their houses in panic. Takht Bhai police has confirmed the incident.

Car bomb hits busy Iraqi market

At least 10 people have been killed and dozens wounded in a bomb blast near a livestock market in Iraq. A car bomb exploded as people were buying and selling cattle in the busy market near the city of Hilla in Babil province, police said. At least 32 people were reported to have been injured. Babil province, south of Baghdad, has been the scene of attacks in the past but has been relatively peaceful for many months. The attack happened at around 0900 local time (0600 GMT) as traders gathered at the al-Medhatiaya animal market, some 120km (75 miles) south of Baghdad, the AFP news agency reports. Medical officials in the region confirmed there had been casualties, but the number of injured ranged from 32 to 56. Babil province has a mixed population of Shia and Sunni Muslims and has seen much sectarian violence as well as attacks on US forces. But violence abated in part because former Sunni rebels joined so-called Awakening Councils and turned against al-Qaeda militants. The US military handed over control of security in Babil to Iraqi forces last October.

Rocket attacks on UC Nazim house, police checkpoint in Peshawar

Pakistan, PESHAWAR The unidentified persons fired more than 20 rockets on UC Nazim house and police checkpost in Peshawar but no causality was reported. According to details, militants fired several rockets at UB Nazim Abdul Malik’s house late on Wednesday night that landed in nearby fields. Rockets also targeted a police chck point in the area. However, no loss of life was reported. The attackers were managed to flee from the scene. Police has cordoned off the area and search operation has been launched.

Man guilty of killing 'Harry Potter' actor

LONDON, England A habitually violent young man was convicted Wednesday of the murder of teenage actor Rob Knox, who had starred in the latest "Harry Potter" film.Karl Bishop, 22, attacked Knox and four friends with two kitchen knives outside a bar in Sidcup, south east London, last May. He stabbed them 10 times in less than two minutes, the Old Bailey court in central London heard. Knox, 18, had rushed out of the bar after he heard that Bishop had threatened his younger brother Jamie but he ended up being stabbed five times, once in a main artery. He died in hospital later that night. Bystanders said Bishop's face was "screwed up in rage" as he lashed out with the two knives, the Press Association reported. Days before the attack, the actor had finished filming on "Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince," due for international release in July, in which he played the role of Marcus Belby. He was set to reprise the part in future "Harry Potter" films. Knox's father Colin told mourners at his funeral, including co-star Rupert Grint, that his son had been "living the dream," PA said. Prosecutor Brian Altman told the court that the young actor's promising life was ended by a "habitual knife carrier" who believed stabbing people was an "occupational hazard" and had previous convictions for knife crime. Bishop is due to be sentenced on Thursday. Knife crime in Britain is a political hot topic due to a spate of recent killings of mainly young people in major cities. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has urged tougher sentences for those caught carrying knives. He told the Daily Telegraph last month: "By carrying a knife you are not only endangering the lives of others, but you are more likely to be killed, or end up in jail. "We need to change the way young people think about knives, we need families and communities working together ... to get this message across and help stamp out knife crime and get weapons off our streets."