India is yet to receive a confirmation from Pakistan on a list of prominent Sikh leaders and other dignitaries who are part of the inaugural 'jatha'&nbsp;visiting Gurudwara Darbar Sahib through the Kartarpur corridor on November 9, government sources said on Tuesday.

Sources added that Pakistan has not yet allowed any team from India to visit Kartarpur Sahib in advance to confirm the arrangements made for the inaugural jatha. In addition, the country has unilaterally decided the programme and timing of the pilgrims without taking into account India's inputs in the matter.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said last week that India has shared the list of people visiting the Gurudwara with Pakistan so as to seek visas for them."Pakistan tries to project that it is trying to facilitate Sikh pilgrimage, and we have not heard from them. In fact, we hear that the visas will not be granted. We feel that it is disrespect to the sentiments of Sikh pilgrims, especially on this pious occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak," Kumar had said.

Sources added that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's tweet stating that no passports will be required to undertake the pilgrimage has created confusion among the pilgrims as to what documents they should carry as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries in this regard mentions the requirement of carrying passports.

In addition, no offer has been made by Pakistan to amend the MoU in light of Khan's tweet.

Critical information such as medical facilities available and security arrangements for the pilgrims have also not been shared with India yet. India has all along remained strongly committed to expeditiously realize the Kartarpur corridor on time, keeping in mind the sentiments of the pilgrims.

The construction work on India's side has been completed on time, and New Delhi even agreed to go ahead with the MoU despite Pakistan's insistence on levying a $20 service fee on the pilgrims.

Pakistan's refusal to extend full cooperation with India in the matter is against the spirit of pilgrimage, sources said.

India and Pakistan had signed an agreement on the modalities for operationalising Kartarpur Sahib corridor on October 24, paving the way for its inauguration ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

India is yet to receive a confirmation from Pakistan on a list of prominent Sikh leaders and other dignitaries who are part of the inaugural 'jatha' visiting Gurudwara Darbar Sahib through the Kartarpur corridor on November 9, government sources said on Tuesday.

India is yet to receive a confirmation from Pakistan on a list of prominent Sikh leaders and other dignitaries who are part of the inaugural 'jatha' visiting Gurudwara Darbar Sahib through the Kartarpur corridor on November 9, government sources said on Tuesday. Sources added that Pakistan has not yet allowed any team from India to visit Kartarpur Sahib in advance to confirm the arrangements made for the inaugural jatha. In addition, the country has unilaterally decided the programme and timing of the pilgrims without taking into account India's inputs in the matter. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said last week that India has shared the list of people visiting the Gurudwara with Pakistan so as to seek visas for them."Pakistan tries to project that it is trying to facilitate Sikh pilgrimage, and we have not heard from them. In fact, we hear that the visas will not be granted. We feel that it is disrespect to the sentiments of Sikh pilgrims, especially on this pious occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak," Kumar had said. Sources added that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's tweet stating that no passports will be required to undertake the pilgrimage has created confusion among the pilgrims as to what documents they should carry as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries in this regard mentions the requirement of carrying passports. In addition, no offer has been made by Pakistan to amend the MoU in light of Khan's tweet. Critical information such as medical facilities available and security arrangements for the pilgrims have also not been shared with India yet. India has all along remained strongly committed to expeditiously realize the Kartarpur corridor on time, keeping in mind the sentiments of the pilgrims. The construction work on India's side has been completed on time, and New Delhi even agreed to go ahead with the MoU despite Pakistan's insistence on levying a $20 service fee on the pilgrims. Pakistan's refusal to extend full cooperation with India in the matter is against the spirit of pilgrimage, sources said. India and Pakistan had signed an agreement on the modalities for operationalising Kartarpur Sahib corridor on October 24, paving the way for its inauguration ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

India yet to receive confirmation from Pakistan on list of inaugural 'jatha' visiting Kartarpur Sahib

US Congressional report on Afghan Affairs has specifically mentioned that Pakistan has been playing 'an active but negative role' in Afghanistan while simultaneously, is fearful of strategic encirclement by India.

In its latest report on Afghanistan, the independent and bipartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) identified Pakistan as the most important neighbour of Afghanistan. Pakistan, it said, has played an active, and by many accounts, a negative role in Afghan affairs for decades.

"Pakistan's security services maintain ties to Afghan insurgent groups, most notably the Haqqani Network, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) that has become an official, the semi-autonomous component of the Taliban," CRS, which periodically prepares reports on issues of importance for Congressmen for them to make informed decisions, said.

Pakistan is concerned about the strategic encirclement by India as New Delhi is establishing strong relations with Central Asian countries.

"India's diplomatic and commercial presence in Afghanistan and US rhetorical support for it exacerbates Pakistani fears of encirclement. Indian interest in Afghanistan stems largely from India's broader regional rivalry with Pakistan, which impedes Indian efforts to establish stronger and more direct commercial and political relations with Central Asia," the CRS said in its latest report on Afghanistan released on November 1.

The US&nbsp;officials have long identified militant safe havens in Pakistan as a threat to security in Afghanistan, though some Pakistani officials dispute that charge and note the Taliban's increased territorial control within Afghanistan itself, the report said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-chief-of-staff-summoned-to-testify-in-impeachment-probe-260220">President Donald Trump</a>, it added, has also accused Pakistan of "housing the very terrorists that we are fighting."

"Pakistan may view a weak and destabilised Afghanistan as preferable to a strong, unified Afghan state (particularly one led by an ethnic Pashtun-dominated government in Kabul; Pakistan has a large and restive Pashtun minority)," the CRS said.

However, instability in Afghanistan could rebound to Pakistan's detriment; Pakistan has struggled with indigenous Islamist militants of its own, the report added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/islamabad-set-to-attend-afghanistan-peace-talks-in-russia-257851">Afghanistan-Pakistan</a> relations are further complicated by the presence of over a million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, as well a long-running and ethnically tinged dispute over their shared 1,600-mile border.

In his August 2017 speech, the US President did encourage India to play a greater role in Afghan economic development.

The CRS said insurgent and terrorist groups have demonstrated considerable capabilities in 2019, throwing into sharp relief the daunting security challenges that the Afghan government and its US and international partners face.

At the same time, prospects for a negotiated settlement, driven by direct US-Taliban talks, are uncertain in light of the September 2019 cancellation of those negotiations and the Taliban's continued refusal to talk to the Afghan government, it said.

However, a potential collapse of the Afghan military and/or the government that commands it could have significant implications for the United States, particularly given the nature of negotiated security arrangements, the report warned.

Regardless of how likely the Taliban would be to gain full control over all or even most of the country, the breakdown of social order and the fracturing of the country into fiefdoms controlled by paramilitary commanders and their respective militias may be plausible, even probable, it added.

US Congressional report on Afghan Affairs has specifically mentioned that Pakistan has been playing 'an active but negative role' in Afghanistan while simultaneously, is fearful of strategic encirclement by India.

US Congressional report on Afghan Affairs has specifically mentioned that Pakistan has been playing 'an active but negative role' in Afghanistan while simultaneously, is fearful of strategic encirclement by India. In its latest report on Afghanistan, the independent and bipartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) identified Pakistan as the most important neighbour of Afghanistan. Pakistan, it said, has played an active, and by many accounts, a negative role in Afghan affairs for decades. "Pakistan's security services maintain ties to Afghan insurgent groups, most notably the Haqqani Network, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) that has become an official, the semi-autonomous component of the Taliban," CRS, which periodically prepares reports on issues of importance for Congressmen for them to make informed decisions, said. Pakistan is concerned about the strategic encirclement by India as New Delhi is establishing strong relations with Central Asian countries. "India's diplomatic and commercial presence in Afghanistan and US rhetorical support for it exacerbates Pakistani fears of encirclement. Indian interest in Afghanistan stems largely from India's broader regional rivalry with Pakistan, which impedes Indian efforts to establish stronger and more direct commercial and political relations with Central Asia," the CRS said in its latest report on Afghanistan released on November 1. The US officials have long identified militant safe havens in Pakistan as a threat to security in Afghanistan, though some Pakistani officials dispute that charge and note the Taliban's increased territorial control within Afghanistan itself, the report said. President Donald Trump, it added, has also accused Pakistan of "housing the very terrorists that we are fighting." "Pakistan may view a weak and destabilised Afghanistan as preferable to a strong, unified Afghan state (particularly one led by an ethnic Pashtun-dominated government in Kabul; Pakistan has a large and restive Pashtun minority)," the CRS said. However, instability in Afghanistan could rebound to Pakistan's detriment; Pakistan has struggled with indigenous Islamist militants of its own, the report added. Afghanistan-Pakistan relations are further complicated by the presence of over a million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, as well a long-running and ethnically tinged dispute over their shared 1,600-mile border. In his August 2017 speech, the US President did encourage India to play a greater role in Afghan economic development. The CRS said insurgent and terrorist groups have demonstrated considerable capabilities in 2019, throwing into sharp relief the daunting security challenges that the Afghan government and its US and international partners face. At the same time, prospects for a negotiated settlement, driven by direct US-Taliban talks, are uncertain in light of the September 2019 cancellation of those negotiations and the Taliban's continued refusal to talk to the Afghan government, it said. However, a potential collapse of the Afghan military and/or the government that commands it could have significant implications for the United States, particularly given the nature of negotiated security arrangements, the report warned. Regardless of how likely the Taliban would be to gain full control over all or even most of the country, the breakdown of social order and the fracturing of the country into fiefdoms controlled by paramilitary commanders and their respective militias may be plausible, even probable, it added.

Pakistan fearful of strategic encirclement by India: US report on Afghan affairs

Serie A strugglers Brescia named Italian 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Grosso as their new coach on Tuesday.

The club confirmed in a statement on their website that the 41-year-old would replace Eugenio Corini, who led Brescia out of Serie B last season but was sacked on Sunday after only 10 games of the present campaign following a 2-1 defeat at Verona.

Grosso, who has previously coached Bari and Verona, is best known for scoring a dramatic goal deep into extra-time as Italy beat hosts Germany 2-0 in the 2006 World Cup semi-finals.

He also converted the winning kick as Italy beat France on penalties in the final following a 1-1 draw.

Brescia, who are second-bottom in the 20-team table with seven points from 10 games, are the fifth Serie A club to change coach this season following Sampdoria, Genoa, AC Milan and Udinese.

Serie A strugglers Brescia named Italian 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Grosso as their new coach on Tuesday. The club confirmed in a statement on their website that the 41-year-old would replace Eugenio Corini, who led Brescia out of Serie B last season but was sacked on Sunday after only 10 games of the present campaign following a 2-1 defeat at Verona.

Serie A strugglers Brescia named Italian 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Grosso as their new coach on Tuesday. The club confirmed in a statement on their website that the 41-year-old would replace Eugenio Corini, who led Brescia out of Serie B last season but was sacked on Sunday after only 10 games of the present campaign following a 2-1 defeat at Verona. Grosso, who has previously coached Bari and Verona, is best known for scoring a dramatic goal deep into extra-time as Italy beat hosts Germany 2-0 in the 2006 World Cup semi-finals. He also converted the winning kick as Italy beat France on penalties in the final following a 1-1 draw. Brescia, who are second-bottom in the 20-team table with seven points from 10 games, are the fifth Serie A club to change coach this season following Sampdoria, Genoa, AC Milan and Udinese.

Football: Italian World Cup winner Grosso to coach struggling Brescia

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has stripped Granit Xhaka of the captaincy and left him out of the Premier League side's squad for their Europa League game against Portugal's Vitoria.

"I had a meeting with him and told him he is no longer in the captain's group," the Mirror website quoted the Spaniard as telling reporters on Tuesday.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang takes over the permanent role, although he was also not in the 18-man travelling squad for the match in Guimaraes and Hector Bellerin is likely to stand in instead.

"He (Xhaka) accepted my decision. We need to carry on and focus on tomorrow's match. I needed to take a decision and now it's closed," said Emery.

Arsenal are top of Group F after three consecutive victories.

The Swiss midfielder has been in the spotlight since he reacted angrily to home fans booing him after he was substituted during Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on October&nbsp;27.

Xhaka has not played for the club since then.

Last Thursday he released an emotional statement to defend his actions, which included storming off the pitch and down the tunnel and said he had reached a "boiling point" following repeated threats from fans to his wife and daughter.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has stripped Granit Xhaka of the captaincy and left him out of the Premier League side's squad for their Europa League game against Portugal's Vitoria.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has stripped Granit Xhaka of the captaincy and left him out of the Premier League side's squad for their Europa League game against Portugal's Vitoria. "I had a meeting with him and told him he is no longer in the captain's group," the Mirror website quoted the Spaniard as telling reporters on Tuesday. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang takes over the permanent role, although he was also not in the 18-man travelling squad for the match in Guimaraes and Hector Bellerin is likely to stand in instead. "He (Xhaka) accepted my decision. We need to carry on and focus on tomorrow's match. I needed to take a decision and now it's closed," said Emery. Arsenal are top of Group F after three consecutive victories. The Swiss midfielder has been in the spotlight since he reacted angrily to home fans booing him after he was substituted during Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on October 27. Xhaka has not played for the club since then. Last Thursday he released an emotional statement to defend his actions, which included storming off the pitch and down the tunnel and said he had reached a "boiling point" following repeated threats from fans to his wife and daughter.

Football: Xhaka stripped of Arsenal captaincy and dropped for Vitoria game

Outgoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-anti-doping-agency-to-investigate-athletes-coached-by-banned-salazar-report-259997">World Anti-Doping Agency</a> president Craig Reedie said on Tuesday the scale and size of the Russian doping scandal that erupted in 2015 had overwhelmed his organisation at the time.

Speaking at the World Conference on doping in sport, Reedie said the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wadas-russian-investigation-enters-new-phase-219322">Russian doping affair</a> that emerged ahead of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and saw the involvement of a vast number of athletes, coaches and officials was the biggest challenge WADA had faced in its 20-year existence.

"The worst case of system failure in my time as president of WADA or in the entire time of the anti-doping movement is Russia," Reedie told the conference.

He said the level of cheating was "unprecedented," leaving WADA under mounting pressure to work for all clean athletes as the Russian anti-doping agency (RUSADA) was declared non-compliant.

"What it (scandal) taught us when it erupted was that we were not equipped to deal with such a large-scale programme," Reedie said.

RUSADA was suspended after the 2015 WADA report found evidence of state-sponsored doping in Russian sport and the country was barred from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics the following year.

All Russian athletes also competed as independents at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

RUSADA's suspension was lifted in September 2018 amid strong criticism as WADA gradually got access to key Russian athletes' data from the Russian lab.

But in September WADA said it had again opened compliance proceedings against RUSADA after finding "inconsistencies" in the vast bank of historical testing data finally handed over in January.

That means RUSADA are again at risk of being declared non-compliant and thus putting Russia's participation at the Tokyo Olympics next year at risk.

Reedie did not say when a decision on the matter would be taken.

He later told a news conference he thought there would be no repeat of the situation before the 2016 Olympics where it was unclear which Russian athletes were eligible and which were not as dozens of legal appeals were made over the ban.

"I am pretty confident that in the short term - you mentioned Tokyo 2020 - a repetition of that situation is unlikely," said Reedie, who will be replaced by Poland's sports minister Witold Banka on January&nbsp;1.

"I think we are better at spotting these issues. We have better company structures, and we know much more about the business," said Reedie, who is also an IOC member.

Outgoing World Anti-Doping Agency president Craig Reedie said on Tuesday the scale and size of the Russian doping scandal that erupted in 2015 had overwhelmed his organisation at the time.

Outgoing World Anti-Doping Agency president Craig Reedie said on Tuesday the scale and size of the Russian doping scandal that erupted in 2015 had overwhelmed his organisation at the time. Speaking at the World Conference on doping in sport, Reedie said the Russian doping affair that emerged ahead of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and saw the involvement of a vast number of athletes, coaches and officials was the biggest challenge WADA had faced in its 20-year existence. "The worst case of system failure in my time as president of WADA or in the entire time of the anti-doping movement is Russia," Reedie told the conference. He said the level of cheating was "unprecedented," leaving WADA under mounting pressure to work for all clean athletes as the Russian anti-doping agency (RUSADA) was declared non-compliant. "What it (scandal) taught us when it erupted was that we were not equipped to deal with such a large-scale programme," Reedie said. RUSADA was suspended after the 2015 WADA report found evidence of state-sponsored doping in Russian sport and the country was barred from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics the following year. All Russian athletes also competed as independents at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. RUSADA's suspension was lifted in September 2018 amid strong criticism as WADA gradually got access to key Russian athletes' data from the Russian lab. But in September WADA said it had again opened compliance proceedings against RUSADA after finding "inconsistencies" in the vast bank of historical testing data finally handed over in January. That means RUSADA are again at risk of being declared non-compliant and thus putting Russia's participation at the Tokyo Olympics next year at risk. Reedie did not say when a decision on the matter would be taken. He later told a news conference he thought there would be no repeat of the situation before the 2016 Olympics where it was unclear which Russian athletes were eligible and which were not as dozens of legal appeals were made over the ban. "I am pretty confident that in the short term - you mentioned Tokyo 2020 - a repetition of that situation is unlikely," said Reedie, who will be replaced by Poland's sports minister Witold Banka on January 1. "I think we are better at spotting these issues. We have better company structures, and we know much more about the business," said Reedie, who is also an IOC member.

WADA was not equipped to handle size of Russian doping scandal: Reedie

Tottenham Hotspur have successfully <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-spurs-appeal-son-red-card-for-tackle-on-evertons-gomes-260000">appealed against a red card</a> shown to Son Heung-min for a tackle that led to Everton midfielder Andre Gomes breaking his ankle, so the Spurs striker can play in his side's next three games, the FA said on Tuesday.

Gomes suffered a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/gomes-suffers-horror-ankle-injury-devastated-son-sees-red-as-everton-deny-tottemham-hotspurs-259857">fracture-dislocation</a> to his right ankle in the second half of Sunday's 1-1 draw at Goodison Park when he landed off balance at speed after the tackle from Son and then collided with Spurs full-back Serge Aurier.

Referee Martin Atkinson initially showed a yellow card but then produced a red card - an automatic three-match ban - after a VAR intervention, with the Premier League stating Son, had endangered Gomes' safety with his initial challenge.

"Son Heung-min will be available for Tottenham Hotspur FC's next three domestic fixtures after an independent Regulatory Commission upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal," the FA said in a statement.

Portugal international Gomes had surgery on Monday, and Everton said afterwards he was expected to make a full recovery.

Spurs' next domestic fixture is a Premier League home game on Saturday against Sheffield United.

Tottenham Hotspur have successfully appealed against a red card shown to Son Heung-min for a tackle that led to Everton midfielder Andre Gomes breaking his ankle, so the Spurs striker can play in his side's next three games, the FA said on Tuesday.

Tottenham Hotspur have successfully appealed against a red card shown to Son Heung-min for a tackle that led to Everton midfielder Andre Gomes breaking his ankle, so the Spurs striker can play in his side's next three games, the FA said on Tuesday. Gomes suffered a fracture-dislocation to his right ankle in the second half of Sunday's 1-1 draw at Goodison Park when he landed off balance at speed after the tackle from Son and then collided with Spurs full-back Serge Aurier. Referee Martin Atkinson initially showed a yellow card but then produced a red card - an automatic three-match ban - after a VAR intervention, with the Premier League stating Son, had endangered Gomes' safety with his initial challenge. "Son Heung-min will be available for Tottenham Hotspur FC's next three domestic fixtures after an independent Regulatory Commission upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal," the FA said in a statement. Portugal international Gomes had surgery on Monday, and Everton said afterwards he was expected to make a full recovery. Spurs' next domestic fixture is a Premier League home game on Saturday against Sheffield United.

Premier League: FA overturn Spurs striker Son's red card for tackle on Everton's Gomes

Formula E racer Sam Bird is hardly leaping into the unknown this season after five years in the all-electric series, but the Briton could be jumping into the River Thames come July.

The 32-year-old told reporters on Tuesday, as he looked forward to season six that starts in Saudi Arabia on November&nbsp;22-23, that he was prepared to take the plunge if he won his home London round.

If his Virgin Racing team have to throw him a lifeline, it would not be the first time.

Bird was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lewis-hamilton-painting-masterpiece-with-sixth-drivers-title-259841">Lewis Hamilton's</a> Mercedes Formula One teammate in 2013,&nbsp;living the dream as a test and reserve driver while also finishing runner-up in the GP2 support series.

And then it ended. Cut loose, he found himself in a single bedroom apartment with the electricity supply cut off and no money to pay the bills.

The Briton remembers calling his parents in tears, telling them he would have to give up and become a personal trainer, before Virgin called to offer a seat in the first all-electric series.

"I owe Formula E everything. It resurrected my career," he said.

Fast forward, and Bird is his country's top electric driver while Hamilton probes ever deeper into the realms of greatness with his sixth Formula One championship.

The contrast between their career paths is not lost on Bird, who is in no risk of being mobbed when he steps out into central London, but he has no doubt his compatriot deserves all the recognition.

"He has to be considered as the greatest ever now, surely?," he said.

"I’ve worked with him and seen what he can do, data-wise. I’ve never said it about any other driver, but he did things where you just think ‘I cannot do that. My skill level will just not allow me to do what he does’.

"I worked with two other incredible drivers at Mercedes but you always felt like you could do it. Given enough time in the car, I felt I could do what they did. But with him sometimes there’s things that you just think, well that’s not achievable."

Hamilton had arrived from McLaren to replace seven times champion Michael Schumacher alongside Nico Rosberg for the start of 2013 and would go on to win five of the next six championships.

As one Briton took off, the other fell to earth with a bump.

"I parted ways with Mercedes and all of a sudden I literally had nothing. I had no money and no income. I didn’t have any money that I’d saved up or anything like that," said Bird.

"My electricity got cut off. I couldn’t afford my council tax bill."

In Formula E, he has found a new life - a race winner in every season so far with a total of eight victories, Bird is third in the winners' list,&nbsp;and third overall in 2017-18.

This season he will be up against a works Mercedes team for the first time, with the German carmaker joining Porsche as debutants.

"I tend not to try and race with emotion. To me it’s just another team that I need to beat in order to be the best," said the Briton.

"It’s great to have them on the grid. But it would be nice to keep them behind me."

Formula E racer Sam Bird is hardly leaping into the unknown this season after five years in the all-electric series, but the Briton could be jumping into the River Thames come July.

Formula E racer Sam Bird is hardly leaping into the unknown this season after five years in the all-electric series, but the Briton could be jumping into the River Thames come July. The 32-year-old told reporters on Tuesday, as he looked forward to season six that starts in Saudi Arabia on November 22-23, that he was prepared to take the plunge if he won his home London round. If his Virgin Racing team have to throw him a lifeline, it would not be the first time. Bird was Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes Formula One teammate in 2013, living the dream as a test and reserve driver while also finishing runner-up in the GP2 support series. And then it ended. Cut loose, he found himself in a single bedroom apartment with the electricity supply cut off and no money to pay the bills. The Briton remembers calling his parents in tears, telling them he would have to give up and become a personal trainer, before Virgin called to offer a seat in the first all-electric series. "I owe Formula E everything. It resurrected my career," he said. Fast forward, and Bird is his country's top electric driver while Hamilton probes ever deeper into the realms of greatness with his sixth Formula One championship. The contrast between their career paths is not lost on Bird, who is in no risk of being mobbed when he steps out into central London, but he has no doubt his compatriot deserves all the recognition. "He has to be considered as the greatest ever now, surely?," he said. "I’ve worked with him and seen what he can do, data-wise. I’ve never said it about any other driver, but he did things where you just think ‘I cannot do that. My skill level will just not allow me to do what he does’. "I worked with two other incredible drivers at Mercedes but you always felt like you could do it. Given enough time in the car, I felt I could do what they did. But with him sometimes there’s things that you just think, well that’s not achievable." Hamilton had arrived from McLaren to replace seven times champion Michael Schumacher alongside Nico Rosberg for the start of 2013 and would go on to win five of the next six championships. As one Briton took off, the other fell to earth with a bump. "I parted ways with Mercedes and all of a sudden I literally had nothing. I had no money and no income. I didn’t have any money that I’d saved up or anything like that," said Bird. "My electricity got cut off. I couldn’t afford my council tax bill." In Formula E, he has found a new life - a race winner in every season so far with a total of eight victories, Bird is third in the winners' list, and third overall in 2017-18. This season he will be up against a works Mercedes team for the first time, with the German carmaker joining Porsche as debutants. "I tend not to try and race with emotion. To me it’s just another team that I need to beat in order to be the best," said the Briton. "It’s great to have them on the grid. But it would be nice to keep them behind me."

Sam Bird ready to take the plunge as Formula E turns six

Liverpool will field two different playing squads in the League Cup and Club World Cup in the space of 24 hours in December due to a lack of available dates to postpone their League Cup quarter-final, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

The quarter-final against Aston Villa is set to be played on December&nbsp;17,&nbsp;the same week Juergen Klopp's side travel to Qatar for the FIFA Club World Cup where they play their first match on December&nbsp;18.

After knocking Arsenal out in the last 16, Klopp had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-klopp-may-pull-liverpool-out-of-league-cup-over-fixture-pile-up-258925">threatened to pull</a> the Anfield side out of the League Cup if they could not find a suitable date for the quarter-final tie.

"We will be utilising two playing squads simultaneously, with one squad participating in the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar and another in the Carabao Cup," the club said in a statement.&nbsp;

"The club would like to take this opportunity to underline that while this is not an ideal scenario, it is an outcome which was arrived at with the best interests of the competition, our fellow clubs and ourselves as the sole motivating factor."

Liverpool said they had discussed alternative dates with the English Football League but could not find a suitable one that would not compromise the competition's schedule.

Liverpool will field two different playing squads in the League Cup and Club World Cup in the space of 24 hours in December due to a lack of available dates to postpone their League Cup quarter-final, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

Liverpool will field two different playing squads in the League Cup and Club World Cup in the space of 24 hours in December due to a lack of available dates to postpone their League Cup quarter-final, the Premier League club said on Tuesday. The quarter-final against Aston Villa is set to be played on December 17, the same week Juergen Klopp's side travel to Qatar for the FIFA Club World Cup where they play their first match on December 18. After knocking Arsenal out in the last 16, Klopp had threatened to pull the Anfield side out of the League Cup if they could not find a suitable date for the quarter-final tie. "We will be utilising two playing squads simultaneously, with one squad participating in the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar and another in the Carabao Cup," the club said in a statement. "The club would like to take this opportunity to underline that while this is not an ideal scenario, it is an outcome which was arrived at with the best interests of the competition, our fellow clubs and ourselves as the sole motivating factor." Liverpool said they had discussed alternative dates with the English Football League but could not find a suitable one that would not compromise the competition's schedule.

Football: Liverpool to field two different squads in two competitions simultaneously

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-anti-doping-agency-to-investigate-athletes-coached-by-banned-salazar-report-259997">World Anti-doping Agency</a> (WADA) wants commercial sponsors to contribute financially to the fight against doping in sport as part of their corporate responsibility, the next WADA President said on Tuesday.

Witold Banka, Poland's Tourism and Sports Minister who will take over the WADA leadership from Craig Reedie on January&nbsp;1, said the organisation urgently needed to increase revenues and being a sponsor of sports events came with a responsibility.

"I am not the Christopher Columbus of anti-doping policy. It is not a new idea to engage big sponsors as part of their corporate social responsibility," Banka told an international anti-doping conference.

"That will be one of the biggest tasks: to convince the big companies to join the Olympic anti-doping solidarity fund," he added.

WADA has a budget of about $35 million&nbsp;annually while the overall spending on anti-doping around the world, including by national anti-doping agencies, does not exceed $260 million.

In comparison, broadcasters pay billions of dollars to secure rights of major sports such as the soccer World Cup and the Olympics.

Olympic sponsors will pay the International Olympic Committee more than one billion dollars for the 2017-2020 quadrennium to be associated with the Games while broadcasters will pay about $5 billion for Games rights for the same period.

Banka said WADA had to find new streams of revenue if it was to continue its fight to root out cheats.

WADA has been struggling with a vast <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wadas-russian-investigation-enters-new-phase-219322">Russian doping scandal</a> for more than four years in a process that has required considerable funds.

Russia's track and field team was banned from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 while the entire Russian Olympic team at the Pyeongchang winter Games competed as independents as a result of that scandal.

"We cannot keep raising contributions. We need to find some alternative solutions how we can increase the budget for anti-doping," said the 35-year-old Banka, a former European junior 400m champion.

"We have to convince the biggest partners that if you are a sponsor of sport you have to be a sponsor of clean sport."

The World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) wants commercial sponsors to contribute financially to the fight against doping in sport as part of their corporate responsibility, the next WADA President said on Tuesday.

The World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) wants commercial sponsors to contribute financially to the fight against doping in sport as part of their corporate responsibility, the next WADA President said on Tuesday. Witold Banka, Poland's Tourism and Sports Minister who will take over the WADA leadership from Craig Reedie on January 1, said the organisation urgently needed to increase revenues and being a sponsor of sports events came with a responsibility. "I am not the Christopher Columbus of anti-doping policy. It is not a new idea to engage big sponsors as part of their corporate social responsibility," Banka told an international anti-doping conference. "That will be one of the biggest tasks: to convince the big companies to join the Olympic anti-doping solidarity fund," he added. WADA has a budget of about $35 million annually while the overall spending on anti-doping around the world, including by national anti-doping agencies, does not exceed $260 million. In comparison, broadcasters pay billions of dollars to secure rights of major sports such as the soccer World Cup and the Olympics. Olympic sponsors will pay the International Olympic Committee more than one billion dollars for the 2017-2020 quadrennium to be associated with the Games while broadcasters will pay about $5 billion for Games rights for the same period. Banka said WADA had to find new streams of revenue if it was to continue its fight to root out cheats. WADA has been struggling with a vast Russian doping scandal for more than four years in a process that has required considerable funds. Russia's track and field team was banned from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 while the entire Russian Olympic team at the Pyeongchang winter Games competed as independents as a result of that scandal. "We cannot keep raising contributions. We need to find some alternative solutions how we can increase the budget for anti-doping," said the 35-year-old Banka, a former European junior 400m champion. "We have to convince the biggest partners that if you are a sponsor of sport you have to be a sponsor of clean sport."

WADA to ask commercial sponsors for money in anti-doping fight

China on Wednesday sought to assure India over the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), saying the trade deal could provide many opportunities for India's exports.

China joined 14 countries this week in agreeing terms for RCEP, which could become the world's biggest free trade deal if officially signed next year as planned.

But <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-not-to-join-rcep-goes-against-countrys-core-interests-259904">India pulled out </a>at the last minute amid worries that the deal would unleash cheaper imports from countries like China that render its own industries uncompetitive and hurt its farmers, businesses, workers and consumers.

Vice commerce minister Wang Shouwen, speaking at a news briefing in Beijing, said he understood those concerns, but the deal could benefit Indian exporters and help create more local jobs.

"We understand that some industries in India will have some concerns, but RCEP will also bring huge export opportunities to the Indian industry," he said, adding that the deal includes a protection mechanism that can be used to put the tariffs back on if India does find the deal damaging to its domestic industries.

Wang applauded the trade pact as providing a "very significant boost" to investor confidence in the global economy against the rise of unilateralism and protectionism that has depressed trade growth across the world.

He said the deal would also greatly benefit Chinese firms, workers and consumers, as it would remove tariffs and non-tariff barriers, and bring down costs.

China on Wednesday sought to assure India over the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), saying the trade deal could provide many opportunities for India's exports.

China on Wednesday sought to assure India over the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), saying the trade deal could provide many opportunities for India's exports. China joined 14 countries this week in agreeing terms for RCEP, which could become the world's biggest free trade deal if officially signed next year as planned. But India pulled out at the last minute amid worries that the deal would unleash cheaper imports from countries like China that render its own industries uncompetitive and hurt its farmers, businesses, workers and consumers. Vice commerce minister Wang Shouwen, speaking at a news briefing in Beijing, said he understood those concerns, but the deal could benefit Indian exporters and help create more local jobs. "We understand that some industries in India will have some concerns, but RCEP will also bring huge export opportunities to the Indian industry," he said, adding that the deal includes a protection mechanism that can be used to put the tariffs back on if India does find the deal damaging to its domestic industries. Wang applauded the trade pact as providing a "very significant boost" to investor confidence in the global economy against the rise of unilateralism and protectionism that has depressed trade growth across the world. He said the deal would also greatly benefit Chinese firms, workers and consumers, as it would remove tariffs and non-tariff barriers, and bring down costs.

We understand concerns but RCEP deal could benefit India's exporters: China

As a political slugfest over government formation continues and with the deadline to form the government just around the corner, outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwan here on Tuesday.

The duo held a closed-door meeting at RSS headquarters here for over an hour late in the night. The meeting bears significance with the tenure of the incumbent Assembly ends on November 8.

BJP and Shiv Sena are engaged in a bitter tug-of-war with the latter refusing to soften stand on its demands for equal sharing of Cabinet portfolios and the chief minster`s tenure of 2.5 years.

However, Fadnavis has said that Shiv Sena was not promised the chief ministerial post for two-and-a-half years when the alliance was sealed before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday said that Shiv Sena is yet to give any proposal and that BJP`s doors are "always open" for them.

Leaders in Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have also confirmed that the two parties are trying to chalk out an alternative to keep the BJP out of power in the state.

The BJP emerged as the single largest party by winning 105 seats while Shiv Sena got 56 in the 288-member state assembly. The results of assembly polls were announced on October 24.&nbsp;

As a political slugfest over government formation continues and with the deadline to form the government just around the corner, outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwan here on Tuesday.

As a political slugfest over government formation continues and with the deadline to form the government just around the corner, outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwan here on Tuesday. The duo held a closed-door meeting at RSS headquarters here for over an hour late in the night. The meeting bears significance with the tenure of the incumbent Assembly ends on November 8. BJP and Shiv Sena are engaged in a bitter tug-of-war with the latter refusing to soften stand on its demands for equal sharing of Cabinet portfolios and the chief minster`s tenure of 2.5 years. However, Fadnavis has said that Shiv Sena was not promised the chief ministerial post for two-and-a-half years when the alliance was sealed before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday said that Shiv Sena is yet to give any proposal and that BJP`s doors are "always open" for them. Leaders in Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have also confirmed that the two parties are trying to chalk out an alternative to keep the BJP out of power in the state. The BJP emerged as the single largest party by winning 105 seats while Shiv Sena got 56 in the 288-member state assembly. The results of assembly polls were announced on October 24.

Amid political tug-of-war in Maharashtra, CM Devendra Fadnavis meets RSS chief

Pakistan on Tuesday sought a $nine billion loan from China to finance road and infrastructure projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

At the conclusion of the ninth Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/opinion-why-china-and-not-pakistan-stands-to-gain-from-china-pakistan-economic-corridor-29219">CPEC</a> here, the two sides approved Gwadar Smart City Master Plan and signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in the field of health and trade, Dawn reported.

They also inaugurated the 392 km Multan-Sukkur Motorway completed with a funding worth (Pakistani Rupee) Rs. 294 billion from China.

The JCC was co-chaired by Pakistan's Planning Minister Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar and China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Vice Chairman Ning Jizhe.

The Committee formed a joint group to formally engage in project financing arrangements on Main Railway Line (ML-1), said Bakhtyar, adding that the groundbreaking ceremony for the multi-billion dollar plan was targeted within the next six months.

"The recent visits of Prime Minister Imran Khan and his interaction with Chinese leadership has, in true sense, broadened and enhanced the scope of future cooperation in diverse fields of agriculture, industrial and socio-economic development," the minister said in his opening remarks.

He noted that Pakistan has established a CPEC Authority which will work as a one window for all CPEC related issues so that the government can fasten the pace of projects.

The meeting also ensured commitment to complete fencing of Pakistan's borders Iran and Afghanistan. Bakhtyar said that the fencing should have been done 10 years ago but now it will be completed by 2020.

"Pakistan's security situation could not be 100pc in our hands until these borders remain porous," he stated.

On his part, Ning Jizhe said that both sides have reached important consensus over bilateral cooperation in all domains and pointed out the future direction of bilateral ties, Xinhua news agency reported.

He added that CPEC has achieved a series of remarkable achievements and have been ushered into an extending phase of high-quality development.

"The Chinese side will implement the consensus reached by the leaders of both sides and will enhance coordination, strengthen mutual trust so as to achieve more pragmatic results under CPEC and to forge a closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era," the Chinese official was quoted as saying.

Pakistan on Tuesday sought a $nine billion loan from China to finance road and infrastructure projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). At the conclusion of the ninth Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting of CPEC here, the two sides approved Gwadar Smart City Master Plan and signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in the field of health and trade, Dawn reported.

Pakistan on Tuesday sought a $nine billion loan from China to finance road and infrastructure projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). At the conclusion of the ninth Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting of CPEC here, the two sides approved Gwadar Smart City Master Plan and signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in the field of health and trade, Dawn reported. They also inaugurated the 392 km Multan-Sukkur Motorway completed with a funding worth (Pakistani Rupee) Rs. 294 billion from China. The JCC was co-chaired by Pakistan's Planning Minister Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar and China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Vice Chairman Ning Jizhe. The Committee formed a joint group to formally engage in project financing arrangements on Main Railway Line (ML-1), said Bakhtyar, adding that the groundbreaking ceremony for the multi-billion dollar plan was targeted within the next six months. "The recent visits of Prime Minister Imran Khan and his interaction with Chinese leadership has, in true sense, broadened and enhanced the scope of future cooperation in diverse fields of agriculture, industrial and socio-economic development," the minister said in his opening remarks. He noted that Pakistan has established a CPEC Authority which will work as a one window for all CPEC related issues so that the government can fasten the pace of projects. The meeting also ensured commitment to complete fencing of Pakistan's borders Iran and Afghanistan. Bakhtyar said that the fencing should have been done 10 years ago but now it will be completed by 2020. "Pakistan's security situation could not be 100pc in our hands until these borders remain porous," he stated. On his part, Ning Jizhe said that both sides have reached important consensus over bilateral cooperation in all domains and pointed out the future direction of bilateral ties, Xinhua news agency reported. He added that CPEC has achieved a series of remarkable achievements and have been ushered into an extending phase of high-quality development. "The Chinese side will implement the consensus reached by the leaders of both sides and will enhance coordination, strengthen mutual trust so as to achieve more pragmatic results under CPEC and to forge a closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era," the Chinese official was quoted as saying.

Pakistan seeks $9 billion loan from China to fund CPEC projects

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