Thursday 20 July 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Kuwait expels Iranian diplomats over 'terror' cell

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KUWAIT CITY (AFP) - Kuwait on Thursday expelled Iranian diplomats and closed some embassy missions after the emirates top court convicted a terror cell of links to the Islamic republic, prompting Iran to threaten reciprocal measures.Sunni-ruled Kuwait, which has a sizeable Shiite minority, is trying to mediate an end to the Gulfs worst crisis in years after regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia and its allies cut ties with Qatar in June.They severed relations with energy-rich Qatar over accusations it is too close to Shiite Iran and funds extremists -- allegations denied by Doha.A Kuwaiti supreme court ruling last month convicted 21 people of belonging to a cell that had been formed and trained by Irans Revolutionary Guards.Iranian sides helped and supported the cell members, Kuwaits foreign ministry said in a statement.A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP around 15 Iranian diplomats were expelled.He declined to comment on whether the Iranian ambassador, Alireza Enayati, was among them.Kuwait also ordered the closure of the Iranian military, cultural and trade missions, the official said.Iran reacted angrily, saying the accusations it was behind a terrorist cell were baseless and threatened to take similar steps.Irans strong objection has been communicated to Kuwaits charge daffaires, Irans foreign ministry spokesman, Bahram Ghasemi, said in a statement on his Telegram channel.It was reiterated that Iran reserves the right to a reciprocal measure, Ghasemi added.An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said the Kuwaiti charge daffaires was summoned and told it is regrettable that Kuwaiti officials, in this sensitive situation in the region, instead of making an effort to reduce useless tensions... have targeted the Islamic republic with baseless accusations, according to Ghasemi.Kuwaits supreme court last month sentenced the mastermind of the cell to life in jail and condemned 20 others to various prison terms for links with Iran and Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, and plotting terror attacks in Kuwait.State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Sabah, who is also acting information minister, confirmed Kuwait had taken diplomatic action against Iran.Following the supreme court ruling on the case... the government of Kuwait has decided to take measures, in accordance with diplomatic norms and the Vienna Convention, towards its relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, he told AFP.The latest development comes amid escalating tension in the Gulf, involving Qatar and four Arab countries -- Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.Analysts have warned the crisis could break apart the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, whose members are Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.Kuwait has not imposed sanctions on Qatar and has positioned itself as a neutral party in the crisis.Kuwaiti authorities busted what they said was a terrorism cell with ties to Iran in August 2015 and seized large quantities of arms, ammunition and explosives.Cell members were convicted of working for Irans Revolutionary Guards and Lebanons Hezbollah. They were also convicted of smuggling explosives from Iran.The only Iranian member of the cell was sentenced to death in absentia by the lower court early last year.Kuwait on Tuesday said 14 convicts were on the run while the newspaper, Al-Seyassah, has said they had fled to Iran by sea.The cell was convicted by a lower court early last year but acquitted on appeal months later and set free.The supreme court, whose rulings are final, overturned their acquittal on June 18 and sentenced them to between five and 15 years in prison.In March 2011, a Kuwaiti court condemned four people of forming a spy cell for Iran. That led to the expulsion of ambassadors by the two countries but they returned a few months later.Unlike most of its fellow GCC partners, Kuwait has maintained good relations with Iran in recent years.In February, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visited Kuwait City a month after the emirate launched a dialogue with Iran in a bid to normalise Gulf-Iran relations.Around a third of Kuwaits native population of 1.35 million is Shiite.

Police fire tear gas to halt Morocco 'million-man march'

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AL-HOCEIMA (AFP) - Police in the northern Moroccan city of Al-Hoceima on Thursday fired tear gas to disperse protesters and stop them marching in defiance of a government ban.Organisers from the Al-Hirak al-Shaabi movement dubbed the demonstration the million-man march and said they would go ahead with it despite an injunction.Al-Hoceima, the main port in the Rif region, has been hit by unrest since a fishmonger was crushed to death in a rubbish truck last year as he tried to retrieve swordfish confiscated for being caught out of season.This year has seen waves of protests and bouts of violence in the Rif, where residents have long complained of neglect and marginalisation.Scores of police could be seen around Al-Hoceima since early morning, and by early afternoon they began sealing off access to all the main squares while shops were closed, an AFP journalist said.Al-Hirak has won strong support among the regions diaspora and many former Rif residents living abroad had returned to the city to join the march.By late afternoon hundreds of people began gathering in several meeting points across the city intent on marching as planned, but as they tried to advance the police charged and pushed them back.In the Sidi Abed neighbourhood, police fired tear gas at demonstrators who were chanting Long live the Rif and Long Live Zefzafi -- in reference to jailed Al-Hirak leader Nasser Zefzafi.Witnesses said demonstrators hurled stones at the police as they charged and knocked some on the ground, and that security forces threw stones back at them.Police arrested around 12 activists, including the head of a news website, Hamid El Mahdaoui, according to local journalists.An AFP cameraman said he saw two people being taken away by the security forces.Seventy-two police officers were wounded from stones being thrown and 11 of the protesters were injured from the tear gas, Moroccos MAP official news agency reported Al-Hoceima authorities as saying.All the injured have left hospital, with the exception of two officers who are in a serious condition, the agency reported, adding that two police vehicles were torched by protesters.Following the death of the fishmonger in October, calls for justice snowballed into a wider social movement demanding jobs, development, and an end to corruption in the mainly Berber region.After months of protests and frequent clashes between protesters and police, authorities cracked down, arresting more than 175 people including the movements leader Nasser Zefzafi. Tensions have eased in recent weeks and earlier this month security forces reduced their presence in Al-Hoceima and another northern city Imzouren, which had been on virtual lockdown.Authorities have promised to do more to help the region and relaunched a 2015 programme to improve its infrastructure, health facilities and education services by 2019.We are in a country where there is no freedom of expression. We have asked for hospitals, job, public transport. What is wrong with that?, asked one of the protesters on Thursday.The six parties in Moroccos governing coalition this week issued a joint appeal for residents to stay away from Thursdays march.Ali, a political science researcher from Al-Hoceima living in Canada, said he had returned to the city to show my support for the Hirak movement and that he had expected an impressive march.Organisers said the march was to be peaceful and aimed also at protesting against repression.Moroccan newspapers on Thursday raised concerns of a fresh outbreak of unrest, with daily Akhbar Al Yaoums headlining its front page with Al-Hoceima... day of anger and fear.

No laptop ban as US says all airlines have raised security

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - All 180 airlines serving the United States have taken the security steps needed to avoid being forced to implement inflight bans on laptop computers, the Department of Homeland Security said Thursday.But the more intense inspections of carry-on electronics required by DHS at all points of departure for the United States are likely to make airport boarding procedures even longer than before.DHS spokesman David Lapan said that as of midnight Wednesday, the 180 airlines flying to US destinations, including US carriers, and 280 airports that have direct flights to the US, had all implemented the first phase of tough new security protocols announced by US authorities on June 28.The protocols were not detailed to the public. But officials said they involve a range of measures including more sniffing dogs, explosive trace detection, swapping of luggage for chemical traces and physical inspection of electronics.The measures came in response to increased worries that Islamic State, Al-Qaeda and other jihadist groups are plotting to attack international flights with bombs hidden in consumer electronics.Airlines and airports were warned that their US services would be cut off if they did not immediately begin toughening their pre-boarding inspections.The quick and decisive action taken by airlines, nations, and stakeholders are a testament to our shared commitment to raising the bar on global aviation security, said Lapan.In response to fresh intelligence that the so-called Islamic State group was trying to develop a bomb hidden in a laptop computer or tablet, US authorities ordered a ban on March 21 on carry-on electronics larger than cellphones on all US-bound flights from 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa.Since then, all 10 airports and the airlines flying from them have installed new equipment or strengthened procedures to protect against a laptop bomb, and the restrictions have been lifted.On Wednesday, DHS Secretary John Kelly said that officials had tested a laptop bomb on a real airplane and that the result was that it destroyed the plane.Given the constant threat of ever-changing technologies, Kelly said DHS decided to take a more sweeping approach to security.Globally, we are raising aviation security as opposed to going after one single threat, he said, speaking in Aspen, Colorado.

Trump lashes out as presidency hits six-month mark

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Donald Trump hit the six-month point of his turbulent presidency Thursday in combative style -- lashing out at his own attorney general over the probe into Russias alleged election meddling that has dogged him from day one.Since taking office on January 20, Trump has been on a roller coaster ride, and the gut-wrenching twists and turns looked set to continue after Jeff Sessions vowed to stay on at the Justice Department despite a stinging public rebuke from the commander-in-chief.Publicly abandoning an influential early supporter, the 71-year-old Trump suggested Sessions had betrayed him in stepping back from investigations into alleged Kremlin-Trump collusion -- and said he wished he had never hired him.How do you take a job and then recuse yourself? If he would have recused himself before the job, I would have said, Thanks, Jeff, but Im not going to take you, Trump told The New York Times.I think is very unfair to the president, Trump said. Its extremely unfair, and thats a mild word, to the president. On Thursday, Sessions said he had no plans to resign in the wake of the blistering criticism.I have the honor of serving as attorney general. It is something that goes beyond any thought I would have ever had for myself, the Republican former senator said.I plan to continue to do so as long as that is appropriate, he added.When asked how he could continue to work without the confidence of Trump, Sessions replied: We are serving right now. The work we are doing today is the kind of work we intend to continue.Despite Trumps comments, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the president still had confidence in Sessions.Clearly he has confidence in him or he would not be the attorney general, she said.Trumps expansive remarks to The New York Times painted a picture of a president preoccupied by allegations against him -- chief among them that his team may have colluded with Moscow to help tilt the election in his favor.In the interview, he warned special counsel and former FBI director Robert Mueller that some Trump family finances should be off-limits to his wide-ranging investigation.Asked if Mueller looking at finances unrelated to Russia would be a red line, Trump responded, I would say yes.I have no income from Russia. I dont do business with Russia, he added.Sanders said that Trump had no current plans to fire Mueller -- something that would spark a major political storm -- but refused to rule it out completely. The president has no intention to do so at this time, she said.Trumps first six months in the White House have been as chaotic and contentious as any for a new president in living memory.Making good on a promise to shake up Washington, the Republican billionaire-turned-world leader has shattered norms at every turn, abandoning the usual presidential decorum and caution.But his bold and unambiguous campaign promises remain unrealized, as he has struggled to turn word into legislative deed, most notably in enacting health care reform.It is tough. Its a very narrow path, winding this way. You think you have it, and then you lose four on the other side because you gave. It is a brutal process, he said.Smart people, tough people -- couldnt get it done.The White House on Thursday lauded Trumps success in nominating a Supreme Court justice -- conservative Neil Gorsuch -- and overseeing a growing economy.President Trumps impact on the economy has been immediate, spurring job creation across the country, the White House claimed.Just six months in office, President Trump has taken historic action to eliminate wasteful and costly regulations that have stood in the way of hardworking Americans.Trump also traveled across Washington to the Pentagon on Thursday to highlight another bright spot in his administration -- military success in rolling back the Islamic State group.Were doing very well against ISIS. ISIS is falling fast. Very fast, he said.

Two killed in 6.7-magnitude quake off Greece and Turkey resorts

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BODRUM (AFP) - At least two people were killed on the Greek island of Kos Friday when a magnitude 6.7 earthquake shook the popular summer resort holiday destinations of the Dodecanese Islands in Greece and the Aegean coast of Turkey.The epicentre of the quake was approximately 10.3 kilometres (6.4 miles) south of the major Turkish resort of Bodrum, a magnet for holidaymakers in the summer, and 16.2 kilometres east of the island of Kos in Greece, the US Geological Survey said.It had a depth of 10 kilometres, USGS said.Two people were killed on the Greek island of Kos, a hospital official on the island told AFP, saying they had been killed when the ceiling of a building collapsed.Emergency services said the affected area was a bar in the centre of Kos town. There was no immediate information on the identity of the dead.The mayor of Kos Georges Kyritsis said several people were injured.In the Turkish resort of Bodrum, television pictures showed throngs of worried residents and holidaymakers in the streets.The biggest problem at the moment are electricity cuts in certain areas (of the city), Bodrum mayor Mehmet Kocadon told NTV television.There is light damage and no reports that anyone has been killed in the area.Reports said the state hospital in Bodrum was evacuated after cracks appeared, with incoming patients being examined in a garden outside.The governor of the southern Mugla province -- where Bodrum is located -- said some people had been slightly injured after falling out of windows in panic.The Adliye mosque in central Bodrum suffered some damage, with police cordoning it off to prevent people being wounded by fallen debris, the state-run Anadolu news agency said.The quake was also felt on the Datca peninsula -- also a major resort area -- as well as Turkeys third city of Izmir on the Aegean to the north.Turkish television said the earthquake triggered high waves off Gumbet near Bodrum which flooded the road and left parked cars stranded. There were no reports of casualties.An AFP correspondent holidaying in Bodrum said the quake was followed by aftershocks.The bed shook a lot. Some bottles fell and broke in the kitchen and the patio, said Turkish pensioner Dilber Arikan, who has a summer house in the area.I screamed I was very scared because I was alone.Erdinc Kalece, 47, and his son Baris, 23, were seeing out the night in the open air in the Turgutreis district outside Bodrum.My father and mother were sleeping, I was driving. It was very bad. The road was trembling and I heard a big tremor. I slowed down, waited. I was not scared but anxious, said Baris.Erdinc added: Now were waiting for the aftershock quakes to end.The quake was also felt on the Greek island of Rhodes.We were very surprised. We were scared and we immediately went outside, Teddy Dijoux, who was holidaying with his family at a Rhodes resort, told AFP.That lasted a long time. I quickly gathered up my children to leave the hotel, said holidaymaker Sylvie Jannot.Turkey and Greece sit on significant fault lines and have regularly been hit by earthquakes in recent years.This year alone, Turkeys western Aegean coast was hit by several significant earthquakes, which brought back memories of past deadly earthquakes.In June, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake gutted a village on the Greek island of Lesbos, killing a woman and leaving more than 15 injured. The quake also caused panic on Turkeys Aegean coast.On August 17, 1999, a huge earthquake measuring more than 7.0 magnitude near the city of Izmit devastated vast areas in the countrys densely populated northwestern zone, notably around Istanbul, killing over 17,000 people.

Karachi: DG Rangers visits different areas to review security situation

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KARACHI (Dunya News) - DG Rangers, Sindh, Major General Muhammad Saeed visited different areas of Karachi including Gulshan Iqbal, Bahadurabad and PIB Colony on Thursday to review security situation in the city, Dunya News reported.During his visit, Major General Muhammad Saeed met officers and other Rangers officials on duty. DG Rangers was also briefed by the Rangers personnel over the security situation in the city.DG Rangers expressed satisfaction over security situation in the city. He also lauded the steps taken against street crime and issued directions to make them more effective.

Hyderabad: Protest against unscheduled loadshedding

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HYDERABAD (Dunya News) – Residents of different areas in Hyderabad staged a protest against continuous power outage in their localities on Thursday, Dunya News reported.According to details, transformers in Latifabad No-5, Halli Road, Talab No-3 and Christian Colony are out of order for the past several days. Residents of the area have repeatedly requested Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) employees for change of the transformer. Getting no positive response from HESCO officials, the residents staged a protestAngry residents of Latifabad No-5, Halli Road, Talab No-3 and Christian Colony, who are without electricity for the past several days as transformers in these areas are out of order, staged protest and blocked various roads in the city by burning tyres.The protesters also chanted slogans against the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) administration. Residents of the area said that despite repeated requests the HESCO officials failed to change the transformers.

Karachi: 17 accused arrested during Rangers operation

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – At least 17 accused were taken into custody during Rangers operation in different parts of Karachi on Thursday, Dunya News reported.According to details, Rangers carried out operation in Saeedabad and Darakhshan areas and nabbed target killer Abid Shah who belonged to MAM-Laodon and a land grabber named Fahad. Sources said that Fahad is an activist of MQM-Pakistan.Rangers also arrested a land grabber named Mushtaq Bhutto from Gulshan Iqbal. Rangers apprehended 6 motorcycle snatchers, drug peddlers and street criminals during operation in Saeedabad.Rangers conducted an operation in Sharafi Goth area and arrested two docoits. Three gang war accused including Zahoor, Aftab and Qasim were also taken into custody. Sources said that Zahoor is brother of Lyari gang war commander Ghaffar Zikri.

Westley set for England debut in 3rd Test against South Africa

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LONDON (AFP) - Essex batsman Tom Westley is in line to make his England debut at number three in next weeks third Test against South Africa at The Oval, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced Thursday.He could be joined in the side by another newcomer to Test cricket in Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan, also included in a 13-man squad for what will be the 100th Test at The Oval, which starts on Thursday, July 27.Gary Ballance, Englands number three in their crushing 346-run defeat in the second Test at Trent Bridge last week that saw South Africa level the four-match series at 1-1, was ruled out on Tuesday with a broken finger.Essexs Tom Westley is set to earn his first cap, with selectors confirming he will bat at number three in the 100th Test at the Oval, said an ECB statement issued as the selectors took the unusual setp of confirming the newcomers place in the side long in advance of the match.Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan is also included in the squad for the first time and could feature if England decide on selecting an extra batsman when they confirm their starting line-up next week.England will report to the Kia Oval on Tuesday, where they will train in the afternoon.England born but South Africa raised Malan looks as if he will go head-to-head with spin-bowling all-rounder Liam Dawson for a place in the side.But struggling opener Keaton Jennings is set to retain his place alongside Alastair Cook, with in-form Surrey batsman Mark Stoneman missing out on a call-up on his home ground.Meanwhile Malans county colleague Toby Roland-Jones, also uncapped, will vy for a place among Englands pace attack with Mark Wood.Durham quick Wood has struggled for form this series but has been passed fit following a heel problem.Yorkshire left-hander Ballance would, however, have been under pressure to retain his position even if fully fit.He has averaged a meagre 21.25 in four innings so far this series, with a top score of 34, in what is the Zimbabwe-born batsmans third crack at Test cricket.England were bowled out for just 133 on the fourth day at Trent Bridge, with Ballance dismissed for four.Their top-order batting has long been a concern, hence the call-ups for both Westley, 28, and Malan, 29.Westley has been in good form for County Championship leaders Essex so far this season, scoring 478 First Division runs, including two centuries, at an average of 53.11.Significantly, he also made 106 not out against a strong South Africa attack for the second-string England Lions at Worcester last month.Malan, who made a match-winning debut in Englands deciding Twenty20 victory against South Africa in Cardiff last month, with 78 off 44 balls in Cardiff, has been a consistent performer in red-ball cricket with Middlesex.He averages 42.50 in the County Championship so far this season, with a top score of 115.England squad:Alastair Cook (Essex), Keaton Jennings (Durham), Tom Westley (Essex), Joe Root (capt), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire, wkt) Dawid Malan (Middlesex), Ben Stokes (Durham), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Mark Wood (Durham), James Anderson (Lancashire), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Toby Roland-Jones (Middlesex).

Glamorgan sign 'match-winner' Miller for T20 Blasts

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LONDON (AFP) - South African batsman David Miller is on his way to Glamorgan to feature in the T20 Blasts.The Welsh county revealed on Thursday that they had signed the 28-year-old for six T20 Blast matches, starting this Sunday against Essex and finishing with the August 4 clash with Surrey.We are delighted to sign David Miller for a six-game stint in this years T20 Blast campaign, said Glamorgans chief executive, Hugh Morris.David is a fine batsman, with a wealth of experience in T20 cricket. He is a match-winner and a finisher, proven to be one of the most destructive batsman in the game at both domestic and international level.Miller, who already has plenty of experience in the Blasts having represented Yorkshire and Durham, will link up with compatriot Colin Ingram at Glamorgan.The Natal-born batsman has a wealth of international experience in one-day and Twenty20 cricket and was one of the Proteas star performers at the 2015 World Cup, notching 324 runs as South Africa made the semi-finals.

Never easy playing Sri Lanka in their backyard, says Kohli

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COLOMBO (AFP) - Top-ranked India will not take Sri Lanka lightly despite the home teams recent indifferent form as well as controversies over fitness and ethics, captain Virat Kohli said Thursday.Sri Lanka, languishing at the seventh position in Test rankings, survived a scare this week to win a one-off Test against Zimbabwe but not before going down to the minnows in the preceding one-day series.They have also been criticised in recent days by the countrys sports minister for being overweight and unfit.And on Wednesday, the team found itself in a fresh controversy after the minister said he supported an investigation into the countrys controversial 2011 World Cup loss against India, amid fresh allegations of match fixing.Kohli, the firebrand Indian skipper, nevertheless said he respected the opposition and would not take them for granted.It is never easy playing Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, Kohli said after the team arrived in Colombo for their first full series against their South Asian neighbour in eight years.The sides will play three Tests, five one-day internationals and one T20 in what is their first series involving all three formats of the game since 2009.India have fond memories from their last visit in 2015 which saw them win 2-1, setting in motion a Test match winning spree that saw them clinch victories against New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia.Kohli said the Galle Test which India lost by 63 runs proved to be the turning point in the teams fortunes.After losing that Test in Galle, it was quite a dent mentally, Kohli told reporters. But how the team came together (after that) was iconic.I still believe and everyone in the team believes and knows that this (Sri Lanka) is where it all started for us.Sri Lankas Upul Tharanga, who is the skipper for the shorter versions of the game, said he was hopeful the team will pull through despite recent setbacks.Tharanga is also standing in for Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal who is down with an attack of flu, officials said.We are training hard... this is an opportunity for us to play against the worlds number one team and show where we stand in Test cricket, Tharanga said.The first Test begins on Wednesday at Galle.

Kaur's 171 leads India past Australia, into World Cup final

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DERBY (AFP) - India stunned defending champions Australia by 36 runs to secure a spot in the Womens World Cup final after an undefeated 171 by Harmanpreet Kaur provided the platform for victory on Thursday.With their first win over six-time champions Australia in World Cup knockout cricket, India will now play tournament hosts England in the sold-out Lords final on Sunday.Harmans innings was exceptional and the bowlers have done really well. Winning a semi-final against Australia is a huge achievement, said India skipper Mithali Raj.Australia, set 282 to win and what would have been a record World Cup chase if successful, got off to a terrible start as they lost three wickets inside the opening eight overs.Despite some impressive hitting from Elyse Villani, who recorded her best ODI score of 75, they were never able to keep up with the required run rate and were dismissed for 245 with 11 balls to spare.Congratulations to India. We didnt get the start we wanted and lost too many wickets through the middle, said Australia captain Meg Lanning.We havent really nailed a full game. Weve had glimpses with the ball.Earlier, Kaurs unbeaten 171 -- her third ODI century, which came off just 115 balls and included 20 fours and seven sixes -- underpinned Indias 281 for four.India, who reached their only previous final in 2005, had experienced a disappointing start of their own as they sunk to 101-3, including the dismissal of inspirational captain Raj for 36.However, Kaur, 28, revitalised the innings with a rapid fourth-wicket partnership of 137 with all-rounder Deepti Sharma.Kaur, who scored her first hundred outside of India, was named player-of-the match.In a match reduced to 42 overs after heavy rain delayed the start until 13:45pm (1245 GMT), India looked likely to score under 200 until Kaur cut loose.India, calling on their knowledge of the pitch, having won all four group stage matches they contested at Derby, decided to bat first after winning the toss.However they were left in a perilous position when opener Smrti Mandhana (six) departed in the first over and Punam Raut (14) joined her in the pavilion not long after.Kaur took on the role of aggressor as she and Raj made steady progress, before leg-spinner Kristen Beams bowled Raj for 36 having been dropped the previous delivery.Kaur continued to attack in a merciless display of hitting, requiring 26 balls to move from her half-century to triple figures, when she was almost run out scampering a two to reach the landmark.That scare and the wicket of Sharma did little to deter her, using only 18 balls to then bring up her 150, as India smashed the final six overs for 79 runs.India then had a dream start with the ball as Shikah Pandey bowled Beth Mooney (one) and Jhulan Goswami dislodged Lannings stumps, for the Australian captains first duck since August 2014.When in-form Nicole Bolton was caught and bowled for 14 by Sharma, Australia were left teetering on 21-3.Villani kept Australia within touching distance of the chase with a commanding 75 off 58 balls but her departure, dragging Rajeshwari Gayakwad to Manhana, ended those hopes.Ellyse Perry became the tournaments top scorer during her 38 but guided Pandey to wicketkeper Sushma Verma to prompt a collapse.A brutal 90 from Alex Backwell proved in vain as Sharma bowled her to end the semi-final and spark rapturous scenes.

Trust less and stay happy is the youth mantra: study

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Young peoples trust in key figures such as politicians and religious leaders has fallen sharply over the past five years but they remain largely happy, a global study said Thursday.Viacom, the US media company behind youth-oriented channels such as MTV and Nickelodeon as well as Hollywood studio Paramount, surveyed 28,600 people online in 30 major countries about a wide range of views.In a time of turbulent politics and religious conflict, just nine percent of respondents described themselves as trustful of religious leaders and a mere two percent said the same of their countries politicians.Since the last survey in 2012, trust for religious leaders has tumbled 33 percentage points and the figure for politicians fell 25 points among people age 30 and younger in the 27 countries that were polled both years.Views, however, varied sharply among countries, with trust in religious leaders reaching a high of 32 percent in Nigeria.Trust also slipped for doctors, teachers and even friends, with people in every country identifying their mothers as the most trusted.But the Viacom survey, dubbed The Next Normal: The Rise of Resilience, found that the percentage of people who said they were happy overall was virtually unchanged at 76 percent.The overwhelming theme thats come out of this is that the human is a very resilient animal, said Christian Kurz, Viacoms senior vice president for global consumer insights.Asked to define happiness, most people in both 2012 and 2017 pointed to spending time with family and friends.But next in importance in 2017 -- especially in developed countries -- was ensuring time for vacation and enjoyment, while in 2012 more people focused on money.Kurz said he sensed a shift in attitudes in the wake of the global economic crisis, with many people feeling powerless.If you dont really have a choice, then you focus on the things that you do have control over -- and the people you spend time with, you have control over, Kurz said.What were seeing now is that thats becoming even more important, he said.Coming from the parent company of MTV, the survey also offered quirky insights on music culture.The study found that three-quarters of Indians said they occasionally danced alone in their rooms to music, while the Japanese came in last with 27 percent admitting to solitary moves.

Hammers agree terms with Leverkusen for Chicharito

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LONDON: (AFP) - West Ham United confirmed on Thursday that theyve reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen to sign former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez.The Premier League side have been chasing the 29-year-old throughout the summer, and theyve now agreed a fee of around £16 million ($20.8 million, 17.9 million euros) with the Bundesliga club to bring Mexicos record goalscorer to London Stadium.The former Manchester United frontman - widely known by the nickname Chicharito - will fly to London in the coming days for a medical and to discuss personal terms ahead of his anticipated return to English football.Hernandez spent four seasons with United, where he scored 59 goals in 156 appearances, before going on loan to Real Madrid in the 2014/15 campaign.The two-time Premier League winner left Old Trafford in August 2015 for Germany, where hes been even more prolific, netting 39 times in 76 matches for Leverkusen.The Hammers look set to make it three major signings in a week after bringing in goalkeeper Joe Hart on loan, while Austria forward Marko Arnautovic is due to complete his move from Stoke City once he passes a medical.

Pak Army rejects Indian claims of targeting civilians in held Kashmir

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(Web Desk) – Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has issued a strong rejection in reaction to the Indian claims that Pakistan Army soldiers opened fire on civilian population across the Line of Control (LoC) in held Kashmir.Indian Director General Military Operations (DGMO) General AK Bhatt had claimed to his Pakistani counterpart Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza during special hotline contact that soldiers of Pakistan Army targeted civilians in cross-border fire. The hotline contact was requested by the Indian Army while Pak Army strongly rejected such claims.ISPR Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor said, “Pakistan Army is a professional force and considers it absolutely unethical to target the civil population more so when our own Pakistani Kashmiris live across. Pakistan Army targets only those Indian posts which initiate firing on innocent civilians.Spokesperson of the armed forces maintained that they consider Kashmiris living across LoC as Pakistnais, adding that a professional force like Pak Army could never attempt unethical activity like targeting civilian population. He said the soldiers only retaliate to cross-border fire initiated from other side of the control line.
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