Thursday 19 March 2015

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Football: Celtic 'happy' to face familiar foe

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GLASGOW (AFP) - Celtic are in good shape as they prepare to face a familiar foe in the shape of Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, according to manager Ronny Deila.It will be the fourth time in the past 14 days the two sides have met.Celtic came out on top in the League Cup final last Sunday before knocking United out of the Scottish Cup following a fiery 4-0 victory in a quarter-final replay at Celtic Park on Wednesday.The sides now meet on league duty and Deila said his side would be taking nothing for granted in their preparation as they attempt to maintain their lead at the top of the table.Its about mental and physical preparation so that we are 100 per cent ready for the game, the Celtic manager said.We just have to try to make the same performance and maybe make some of the things even better.Then we will know we have a good chance to win again.The Cup win put Celtic a step closer to their treble dream and Deila is delighted with the progress the Hoops have made after a shaky start to his Celtic career.Whats exciting us is that we are in good shape and we are in a very good place right now, the Norwegian manager said.The players are happy, you can see it, they love playing together and you can see that in the way they train.EnjoymentThe work is to their benefit on the pitch and the rhythm is coming more and more and thats how football should be, players have to enjoy playing football and look forward to every game.I think what were seeing now is that enjoyment and we see that in our squad now.Thats the only way to make the players better, to really enjoy playing football in training and in matches - just to improve and to try to do things even better.We are one step closer to the treble now and you have to just continue winning games and performing.Celtic will have Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven available for the match after the former Dundee United pair were cup-tied for the Scottish Cup and League Cup, but Anthony Stokes will miss out through suspension.Elsewhere on Saturday, Aberdeen have the chance to put some pressure on Celtic if they can defeat Dundee in the early kick-off.The Dons could draw level on points at the top of the table if they can pick up a win at Dens Park.Ross County, who host Kilmarnock, will want to get back to winning ways after their draw with Hamilton interrupted a run of four consecutive wins.Third-placed Inverness Caledonian Thistle travel to Fir Park to face Partick Thistle while bottom of the table St Mirren take on St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.FixturesSaturday (1500 unless stated)Dundee v Aberdeen (1215), Celtic v Dundee United, Partick Thistle v Inverness CT, Ross County v Kilmarnock, St Johnstone v St Mirren

Football: Messi wary of wounded Real Madrid

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MADRID (AFP) - Four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi has warned his team-mates not to take Real Madrid lightly, despite their contrasting form ahead of Sundays crucial La Liga clash at the Camp Nou.Barca go into the game still on course to win the treble for just the second time in the clubs history after a 17th win in 18 games over Manchester City on Wednesday secured their place in the last eight of the Champions League for the eighth consecutive season.By contrast, Madrid have lost five of their 16 games in 2015 so far with some of the Los Blancos faithful rounding on star players Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, as well as coach Carlo Ancelotti.We have a lot of respect for them. When Madrid are like this is when they are at their most dangerous, said Messi, whose brilliant form has been the catalyst for Barcas rise in recent months.Messi has struck 20 times in his last 17 games to usurp Ronaldo as La Ligas top scorer this season by two goals.They have a great team full of brilliant individuals, added Messi.We will try to face the game like we do every match, to play our game and win.Madrids slip-ups in recent weeks mean the European champions now trail Barca by a point with just 11 games to play.And Andres Iniesta knows that victory for the hosts on Sunday would be a huge step towards a fifth La Liga title in seven years for the Catalans.We have prepared for Clasicos in every way in the past. They are one-off matches no matter how the teams come into the game. I dont think Madrid are in bad shape, said the Spanish international.We have to play well and be at our best. There isnt a long time until the game and all the small details count. If we do things right on Sunday then it could be a great day.Sergio Busquets isnt expected to recover from an ankle injury in time to make his return, so Luis Enrique is expected to make just one change from the side that started against City with Claudio Bravo replacing Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.Madrid boss Ancelotti all but admitted his starting line-up had been decided for him by the promising returns from injury made by Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos in last weekends 2-0 win over Levante.I think it is quite clear for everyone, said the Italian. There wont be any surprises.Modric will be reunited with Toni Kroos and Isco in midfield with James Rodriguez now the only significant injury absentee.Meanwhile, Bales first two goals in nine outings will ensure his place up front alongside Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.Before the ball is kicked at the Camp Nou, though, Valencia could force their way into an unexpected three-way fight for the title with victory at Elche on Friday night.Nuno Espirito Santos men have dropped just two points in their last six games and would move to within five of Barcelona with another win.Atletico Madrid are just a further point adrift of Valencia and will need to shake off the fatigue and knocks accumulated in their tense progression to the Champions League quarter-finals on penalties over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek to stay in contention for a top four finish.Miguel Angel Moya, Raul Garcia and Mario Mandzukic all picked up injuries that will keep them out for the visit of Getafe to the Vicente Calderon on Saturday.

Russia offers UN resolution on election talks with Ukraine rebels

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - Russia proposed a UN Security Council draft resolution Thursday asking Kiev to immediately start consultations with pro-Russian separatists on elections within their eastern Ukraine strongholds.The Russian text cites a paragraph from a February peace accord, which provides for discussion and agreement on questions related to local elections in certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.The Russian proposal comes after Ukraine Tuesday ratified two bills for greater autonomy in its troubled rebel-held east, where 11 months of fighting between the Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces have killed more than 6,000 people.Russia argues that the Ukrainian legislation is not in line with the February peace deal aimed at ending the regional fighting, and objects to Kievs requirement that before winning autonomy the separatists must hold local elections under Ukrainian law.In the resolution Russia called on Kiev to immediately start consultations with the representatives of relevant areas.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday the move by Ukraine grossly violates the February agreement made in Minsk.Kiev is looking to replace practically all elected officials with someone else, he said.But Ukraine maintains that the law is not in violation of the Minsk agreement.The Russian proposal has little chance for success given tensions between Western council members and Russia since the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis.Lithuanian UN Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaite said that she was taken by surprise by the text, which she called very one-sided.The illegal militants have long rejected the Minsk agreements... Ukraine is the only side working to implement the Minsk agreement she said about the peace accord.

EU's Russia sanctions extended to end-2015: Tusk

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - EU leaders agreed Thursday to effectively extend economic sanctions against Russia until the end of 2015, tying them to full implementation of the Minsk ceasefire accords in Ukraine.The sanctions were imposed after the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over rebel-held eastern Ukraine in July 2014, and were due to expire after a year.The duration of economic sanctions will be clearly linked to complete implementation of Minsk, bearing in mind that this is only foreseen by the end of 2015, EU president Donald Tusk said after a summit in Brussels.A formal decision to roll over the sanctions must still be made by all 28 leaders, most likely at the next EU summit in June.The necessary decisions will be taken in coming months, added the leaders formal statement on Ukraine, without giving further details.The EU leaders also agreed to ask diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini to start work on a strategy to counter Russian disinformation, including the setting up of a special media team.A shaky ceasefire in eastern Ukraine remains in place based on the February Minsk accord brokered by French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel with Ukraine and Russia.Merkel has previously stressed the need for the implementation of key parts of the Minsk deal -- including restoring Ukrainian control of its Russian border in parts of rebel-held Ukraine.The mention of the end of 2015 in former Polish premier Tusks comments, and in the strongly-worded leaders statement, came after pressure from hawks in the EU who wanted a firm statement of intent on sanctions, source said.Propaganda warEU officials had said in the run-up to the summit that there was no unanimity yet on formally extending the sanctions past July, with some member states wanting to give Russia more time.Tusk indicated that sanctions could be eased if Russia lives up to its commitments to end support for the pro-Moscow rebels.The European Union still stands ready to support the ceasefire process and to respond positively to progress made, he said.But he also held out the prospect of further sanctions if the conditions of Minsk are not met, saying that the EU stands ready to take further decisions if necessary.Europe has been divided from the start of the crisis over the Russian sanctions, with many member states fearing the effect on trade but also on political relations with an increasingly assertive Moscow.Before the shooting down of MH17, many member states such as Germany and Italy had been reluctant to go further for fear of damaging major economic and political ties with Russia.Others such as Britain and east European states once ruled from Moscow -- including Tusks homeland Poland -- argued for a much harder line, especially after Russias annexation of Crimea almost exactly a year ago.The EU leaders statement also reiterated that the bloc would not recognise the annexation of Crimea.Russia rejects EU charges it supports the rebels with arms and technical assistance, and insists it has no role in the conflict which cost more than 6,000 lives up to the February 12 ceasefire accord.But a perception in Brussels that Moscow is winning the propaganda war inspired the EU leaders to call for the creation of a media team to challenge Russias ongoing disinformation campaigns.

Holder coy over Gayle fitness for Black Caps clash

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WELLINGTON (AFP) - West Indies captain Jason Holder remained coy on whether injured star batsman Chris Gayle will play in Saturdays World Cup quarter-final against undefeated New Zealand.Gayle trained for the first time this week on Friday morning, batting in the nets two days after receiving an injection in his lower back.The injury forced him out of the West Indies six-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, when they squeezed into the final eight despite their erratic form in pool games.Holder said Gayle would face a late fitness test for Saturdays final eight clash in Wellington, the winner of which will face a rampant South Africa in the semi-finals.Hes had an injection and a scan. The scan didnt show anything major, so well just see how he pulls up today and make a decision tomorrow morning, the skipper said.Gayle, 35, scored the only double century in World Cup history with 215 against Zimbabwe in Canberra and is seen as crucial to the West Indies chances of progressing into the last four.But Holder insisted his team could win even without Gayle, pointing to the impressive 55 scored by Johnson Charles when he stepped in against the UAE.Obviously, (Gayle) has been a very good player for us over the years but weve shown weve got people to fit the bill, he said.Johnson came in the last game and got a half-century and looked the part. So weve got people to fill his boots but obviously having Chris there is a plus for us.Holder acknowledged playing the undefeated New Zealanders in front of their home fans was a different prospect to facing the UAE, saying it was time to go big or go home.With the West Indies relishing their underdog status, Holder said he was looking for an aggressive but disciplined performance against Brendon McCullums men.People pretty much wrote us off at the beginning of the tournament. They didnt expect us to get to the quarter-final stage and now were here, he said.Were just going out all guns blazing tomorrow and giving it our all. New Zealand can be beaten. We beat them in the last series when we played them and no doubt we will be looking to beat them tomorrow.

Tokyo stocks open flat

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TOKYO (AFP) - Tokyo stocks opened flat on Friday with Wall Street closing mostly lower but the dollar holding steady against the yen.The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange gained 0.02 percent, or 3.15 points, to 19,479.71 at the start.The dollar remained steady against the yen early Friday after reversing declines following a dovish statement by the US Federal Reserve on Wednesday.The greenback was at 120.79 yen early Friday, compared with 120.80 yen in New York late Thursday.The euro bought $1.0667 and 128.83 yen against $1.0660 and 128.77 yen in US trade.US stocks were broadly down on Thursday with oil giants falling sharply on lower oil prices.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.65 percent while the broad-based S&P 500 shed 0.49 percent.The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index gained 9.55 (0.19 percent) to 4,992.38, lifting it closer to the psychologically important 5,000 level for only the second time in 15 years.

US Senate to vote on nuclear Iran bill after talks deadline

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - A US Senate committee will vote April 14 on a bipartisan measure requiring President Barack Obama to submit any international nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review, the legislations authors said Thursday.Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker and top panel Democrat Robert Menendez agreed to push back a vote on the controversial bill until two weeks beyond the March 31 deadline negotiators set for the outlines of an accord between Iran and world powers aimed at preventing the Islamic republic from developing nuclear weapons.We have been working together very closely to ensure we have the strongest vote possible on the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, and to achieve that result we have agreed to a markup of the bill...as soon as we return on Tuesday, April 14, the senators said in a statement.Earlier this year, amid intense congressional debate over how to pressure Tehran toward a lasting deal that bars it from developing a bomb, a group of Democrats warned they would not vote in support of the bipartisan bill until after March 24, to give the negotiations a chance to succeed.The Corker-Menendez bill would require Obama to submit any deal between Iran and the so-called P51 -- Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany -- to Congress, which would have 60 days to review the accord and, if it so decided, to reject it.The legislation is distinct from a new sanctions effort that would tighten economic penalties on Iran in the event an accord is not achieved or Tehran violates the deal.Thursdays announcement virtually assures that Congress will take no vote regarding Irans nuclear program until after the March 31 deadline.President Barack Obamas administration has warned that congressional action at the height of negotiations could infuriate Iran and provide it with an excuse to pull out of talks.

Obama urges Iran to seize rare chance to improve ties

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama on Thursday urged the people and leaders of Iran to seize the historic opportunity presented by nuclear talks and remake long-troubled ties between the two countries. In a video message directed at Iranians celebrating the new year festival of Nowruz, Obama said that we have the best opportunity in decades to pursue a different future between our countries.Negotiators in Switzerland are approaching the final stages of an agreement that would have Iran scale back its nuclear program in return for relief from sanctions.But Obamas Republican foes, allies Israel and in the Gulf -- as well as hawks in Tehran -- have voiced opposition to the agreement.There are people in both our countries and beyond who oppose a diplomatic resolution, Obama said. My message to you -- the people of Iran -- is that together we have to speak up for the future we seek.The days and weeks ahead will be critical. Our negotiations have made progress, but gaps remain. Obamas video was subtitled in Farsi and included a direct appeal to Irans large and youthful population, many of whom have known only antagonism between the United States and Iran.The 1979 Iranian revolution and subsequent capture of US embassy hostages in Tehran led to a rupture in diplomatic relations that is only now starting to be repaired.Irans Islamic leaders are accused of seeking a nuclear weapon -- which they deny -- have supported groups like Hezbollah and have called for the destruction of Israel.I believe that our nations have an historic opportunity to resolve this issue peacefully, an opportunity we should not miss, Obama said. A nuclear deal now can help open the door to a brighter future for you, the Iranian people, who as heirs to a great civilization have so much to give to the world.For decades, our nations have been separated by mistrust and fear. Now it is early spring.Now it is up to all of us, Iranians and Americans, to seize this moment and the possibilities that can bloom in this new season.

Greece pleads for help from sceptical Europe

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras urged Germany and France at a summit Thursday to help him tackle a looming cash crunch, despite warnings that Athens must commit to reforms first.The radical left-wing Greek leader sat down for emergency talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Francois Hollande and the EUs top officials on the sidelines of a European summit in Brussels.He said Greece faced a humanitarian crisis if its creditors do not unlock the remaining funds in its EU-IMF bailout, with Athens at risk of running out of money by the end of the week.But mounting fears of a Greek exit from the euro have failed to stop Brussels insisting that Greeces new government must meet its reform pledges before it gets any cash.European alarm and frustration mounted after the Greek parliament adopted a crisis bill aimed at helping the poor on Wednesday.At the summit, Alexis Tsipras said it was contradictory that Europe accepts that there is a humanitarian crisis in Greece, while at the same time accusing Greece of unilateral action when it votes for measures to deal with it, a government statement out of Athens said.Tsipras accused Greeces creditors in the EU, IMF and ECB of holding up red cards, saying this was holding back progress on completing Greeces 240-billion-euro ($255-billion) bailout by June as agreed last month.Greece was not formally on the agenda of the full meeting of the 28 EU leaders but Tsipras was allowed to speak briefly, ahead of the sideline talks.The separate Greece meeting was also attended by European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker, European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi and Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the Dutch finance minister who chairs the euro single currency group.A European source said the meeting would probably produce an agreement to clarify the terms of the bailout.Time is running out for Athens as Friday brings a key debt deadline when Greece must pay 300 million euros to the IMF and redeem 1.6 billion euros in treasury bills.Athens says Brussels is unfairly holding back the last seven-billion-euro tranche of its $240-billion-euro bailout.Merkel warningMerkel, the powerful leader of Europes biggest economy, said as she arrived at the summit that Greece should not get its hopes up for an immediate solution on Thursday.I would like to say, do not expect any solution, do not expect a breakthrough, said Merkel, who is also due to meet Tsipras in Berlin on Monday.Dijsselbloem played down hopes of a deal, saying that it was to assess progress which appears small.Hollande meanwhile urged the Greek government to show they will carry out reforms.The Greek crisis has opened both new and historic tensions in the 28-nation EU, which when taken together has a population of 500 million and is the worlds largest economy.Greece has angered Berlin by demanding World War II reparations, but Germanys minister for European affairs paved the way to a compromise Thursday by saying Berlin may increase its contribution to a German-Greek fund.Meanwhile Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg complained to EU President Donald Tusk that they had been frozen out of the mini-summit. I am angry, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said.European Parliament President Martin Schulz also said he should have been involved, dismissing the meeting as a flash mob.The EU leaders also agreed that sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis should last until the end of the year.Tusk said the duration would be clearly linked to complete implementation of Februarys Minsk peace accords, bearing in mind that this is only foreseen by the end of 2015.A formal decision to roll over the sanctions must still be agreed on by the 28 EU leaders, most probably at a summit in June.The Minsk accord is the basis of a shaky ceasefire in eastern Ukraine between Kiev and pro-Kremlin rebels.The sanctions were imposed after the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 last July, the bloodiest single incident of a conflict that has claimed more than 6,000 lives.

Violence cost Mexico $233 billion, or 17% GDP: study

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MEXICO CITY (AFP) - Violence in Mexico cost the country $233 billion last year, equivalent to 17.3 percent of gross domestic product, or three times the governments spending on health, according to a study.The Institute for Economics and Peace, a global think tank, said in its 2015 Mexico Peace Index Report that the impact amounted to $1,946 per Mexican citizen in the country of 118 million people.Homicide (37 percent) and other violent crimes (34 percent) represented the largest chunk of the total cost, according to the institute, which has offices in Mexico City, New York, Sydney and Oxford.While the economic impact of violence has increased by 22 percent compared to 2003, it has been falling in recent years.The index found improvements in Mexicos struggle against violence.The countrys homicide rate has fallen by almost 30 percent in the last two years, the report found, adding that while there is some doubt about the accuracy of government crime statistics, multiple data sources do support a decline.In the last two years, 26 out of Mexicos 32 states saw improvements in peacefulness with reductions in the violent crime rate, the report found.But progress has plateaued in the last year and it is too early to determine if this is the start of a new trend.

PGA: McIlroy makes solid start but Hoffmann grabs lead

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ORLANDO (AFP) - World number one Rory McIlroy finally made a solid US start in Thursdays first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but it was Morgan Hoffmann who seized the 18-hole lead at Bay Hill.McIlroy closed his round with a 14-foot birdie putt to fire a two-under par 70 after struggling in his two prior US appearances this season, a signal his game is rounding into form as the Masters looms only three weeks away.Theres a lot of the game thats right there, so pleased with that. A lot of positives, McIlroy said. It could be a really good week.The 25-year-old from Northern Ireland would complete a career grand slam by capturing the green jacket next month at Augusta National and claim his third consecutive major title after wins in last years British Open and PGA Championship.But after a runner-up showing at Abu Dhabi and a win at Dubai to open the year, McIlroy missed the cut at the Honda Classic last month and opened with a 73 for the second tournament in a row at the WGC event at Doral before fighting back to finish ninth.Making his first appearance at Bay Hill, McIlroy matched a career high by reaching 17 of 18 greens in regulation and had near misses on some long birdie bids.If I keep hitting good shots like I did today, hopefully the putts will fall, McIlroy said. I just need to stay patient.McIlroy birdied the par-5 sixth after needing only two shots to come within 18 feet of the cup, added a birdie from 17 feet at the eighth, found the water with his second shot at the par-5 16th on the way to a bogey and then closed with flourish to match his low US round of the year.McIlroy shared 32nd place but was only four shots off Hoffmanns bogey-free 66, which gave the American a one-stroke lead over Englands Ian Poulter and Americans Jason Kokrak, Ken Duke, Kevin Na and John Peterson.World number three Henrik Stenson of Sweden and fouth-ranked Adam Scott of Australia, the 2013 Masters winner, were in a pack of 11 players sharing seventh on 68, as were Scotsman Martin Laird and Irishman Padraig Harrington, coming off a Honda Classic triumph earlier this month.Eagle highlights Hoffmanns roundHoffmanns round began on the back nine and featured a 33-foot birdie putt at 10 with a six-foot birdie putt at the par-5 12th as well.But his big shot was a 47-foot chip-in from a greenside bunker for an eagle at the par-5 sixth, an effort sandwiched between tap-in birdies at the par-5 fourth and par-4 ninth holes.The key was to finish pretty strong, Hoffmann said. Holing out on six was a nice little bump there. Today was great.Hoffmann, 25, has struggled much of this season with three missed cuts, a withdrawal and three finishes outside the top 50. But he shared 17th two weeks ago at Doral and could improve upon his best career US PGA finish, third at last years BMW Championship.Ive been missing it both ways and it has been pretty frustrating, Hoffmann said. Pretty crazy. Golf is a very interesting game.Reigning Masters champion Bubba Watson withdrew from the event Wednesday. The world number two is mourning the death of a long-time friend.Sam Saunders, the grandson of seven-time major champion and tournament host Palmer, was in the pack on 70 that included Japans Ryo Ishikawa and Hideki Matusyama, South Korean K.J. Choi, South Africas Retief Goosen and Rory Sabbatini and Thailands Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

Former Australian leader Malcolm Fraser dead at 84: office

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SYDNEY (AFP) - Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Fraser, who served as the nations leader from 1975 until 1983, died on Friday after a short illness at the age of 84, his office said.It is with deep sadness that we inform you that after a brief illness John Malcolm Fraser died peacefully in the early hours of the morning of 20 March 2015, a statement said.We appreciate that this will be a shock to all who knew and loved him, but ask that the family be left in peace at this difficult time.Fraser, a Liberal, began his term as the countrys 22nd leader after the representative of Britains Queen Elizabeth II, Sir John Kerr, dismissed Gough Whitlam in November 1975 in a constitutional crisis.Whitlam died last October, aged 98.During his tenure, Fraser pursued goals of reducing spending and responsible fiscal management, and was a strong supporter of human rights. He was succeeded by Labors Bob Hawke in 1983.In recent years, he had become an outspoken critic of the Liberal Party, while being a prolific user of Twitter to share his opinions.Before becoming prime minister, he spent 10 years as a backbencher in the government of Robert Menzies.He became Minister for the Army in 1966 under Harold Holt, and was also a minister in the governments of John Gorton and William McMahon.

Bodies of five babies found in house in southwestern France: source

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PARIS (AFP) - Police on Thursday discovered the bodies of five babies in a house in southwestern France, a source close to the case said, in what appears to be the countrys worst incident of infanticide in five years.After the body of a newborn was found in a thermal bag earlier in the day, officers discovered four more bodies of babies during their search at the house in Louchats, near the city of Bordeaux, the source said, confirming a report by French television channel iTele.The source added that the four corpses were found in a freezer.The 40-year-old father was taken into custody while the 35-year-old mother was hospitalised, the source added.It was the father who initially found the bag containing the first corpse of a newborn baby early on Thursday at the family home, the source close to the investigation told AFP.The mother apparently gave birth at home alone, the source said, adding that she had been taken to a hospital in Bordeaux for gynaecological and psychiatric examinations.The woman at this stage does not appear to have a history of mental illness.The couple has two daughters aged 13 and 15.The worst case of infanticide in recent French history dates back to 2010, when a mother admitted to killing eight of her babies, smothering them immediately after they were born.Another notorious case was of a mother who was jailed in 2009 for smothering two boys born in secret at her expatriate home in South Korea, and a third child born in France, and hiding them in a freezer.

Bodies of five babies found in house in southwestern France: source

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PARIS (AFP) - Police on Thursday discovered the bodies of five babies in a house in southwestern France, a source close to the case said, in what appears to be the countrys worst incident of infanticide in five years.After the body of a newborn was found in a thermal bag earlier in the day, officers discovered four more bodies of babies during their search at the house in Louchats, near the city of Bordeaux, the source said, confirming a report by French television channel iTele.The source added that the four corpses were found in a freezer.The 40-year-old father was taken into custody while the 35-year-old mother was hospitalised, the source added.It was the father who initially found the bag containing the first corpse of a newborn baby early on Thursday at the family home, the source close to the investigation told AFP.The mother apparently gave birth at home alone, the source said, adding that she had been taken to a hospital in Bordeaux for gynaecological and psychiatric examinations.The woman at this stage does not appear to have a history of mental illness.The couple has two daughters aged 13 and 15.The worst case of infanticide in recent French history dates back to 2010, when a mother admitted to killing eight of her babies, smothering them immediately after they were born.Another notorious case was of a mother who was jailed in 2009 for smothering two boys born in secret at her expatriate home in South Korea, and a third child born in France, and hiding them in a freezer.

Tennis: Murray cruises, Djokovic gets free pass into semis

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INDIAN WELLS (AFP) - Fourth seed Andy Murray set a record for Open Era wins by a British man with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Feliciano Lopez to reach the semi-finals at Indian Wells Thursday.Murray booked showdown with defending champion Novak Djokovic who won his quarter-final in a walkover when Australian Bernard Tomic withdrew from their scheduled quarter-final in the WTA and ATP hardcourt tournament.Murray now has 497 match wins, surpassing Tim Henman for the most in the Open Era by a British player.I was able to deal with his difficult spins today but it was tough because he fought right to the end, said Murray, now just three wins shy of the 500-win milestone.There are just eight active players and only 45 in Open Era history to hit the 500 mark.Murray blasted four aces and won over 70 percent of his first and second serve points in the one hour, 32 minute match.Lopez came into the match leading the tournament in aces with 46 in three matches. But the 12th seeded Spaniard managed just five against Murray on Thursday.Murray ended his historic 2013 -- where he became the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years -- when he had back surgery. The rehab took time and he was not the same player in 2014.But Murray began to get back into form at the end of last year and is now eager to win his first Indian Wells title this week. His best finish is a runner-up in 2009, when he lost to Rafael Nadal in the final.He was also runner up at Januarys Australian Open and lost in the quarter-finals this year in Dubai and Rotterdam.World number one Djokovic advanced to the semis without lifting his racquet after a bad back and painful wisdom tooth forced Tomic to pull out.Tomic made his decision to withdraw several hours before his match was to open the evening session, allowing Djokovic a free pass.Besides the troubling back, Tomic had been dealing with a wisdom tooth problem which he hopes to get taken care of in Miami where another pretigious hardcourt tournament starts next week.Double whammy for injured TomicIm on medication the last few days for the infected area, my wisdom tooth, he said.The face is inflamed even more on the right side of my cheekbone. Its tough for me to actually even move and rotate my head, so I cant really be turning.Im scared to run on the back, as well.Everything is not good for me. And I had to play Novak, so its not something I want to go on the court with.Maybe if one of those things wasnt there I could have played, but having two is not good.Djokovic will get an extra days rest before he faces Murray.Tomic was enjoying his best run in four appearances in Indian Wells. It was also the first time he had reached the quarter-finals of an ATP Tour Masters event.
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