<p>Several thousand people marched through major Australia cities on Sunday calling for safety for women after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/horrific-attack-israeli-student-murdered-in-australia-while-on-phone-with-sister-190997">an Israeli exchange student was murdered</a> in Melbourne.</p>

<p>The marches, part of the Women's March rallies held around the world in support of women's rights, gathered some 3,000 people in Sydney, who in their chants demanded safe streets for women in Australian cities.</p>

<p>Aiia Maasarwe, 21, was killed when walking home after a night out with friends in Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, earlier this week. A 20-year-old man was charged with her murder.</p>

<p>Maasarwe's death recharged outrage over violence against women after 22-year-old Eurydice Dixon was killed in Melbourne while walking home after performing at a comedy show in June.</p>

<p>Thousands of people gathered at vigils for Maasarwe on Friday and continued to lay flowers at the site of her death. A special tram carrying only flowers late on Friday followed the route of Maasarwe's final journey.</p>

<p>In Sydney on Sunday marchers held signs paying tribute to Maasarwe and other victims of violence. Television news showed women carrying signs: "For Aiia and for those who suffer silently" and "I wanna walk through the park in the dark".</p>

<p>"I don't want my daughter to grow up in a world where she's unsafe or she can't pursue the opportunities she wants and I march for my son because I don't want him to grow up in a world where toxic masculinity is acceptable," said Samantha Nolan-Smith, one of several hundred protesters in the Australian capital Canberra, reported Australian Broadcasting Corp.</p>

<p>In reaction to Maasarwe's death, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government would announce another "action plan" to stem violence against women ahead of an election expected by May, on top of A$350 million ($252 million) that has already been committed.</p>


Aiia Maasarwe, 21, was killed when walking home after a night out with friends in Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, earlier this week.

Several thousand people marched through major Australia cities on Sunday calling for safety for women after an Israeli exchange student was murdered in Melbourne. The marches, part of the Women's March rallies held around the world in support of women's rights, gathered some 3,000 people in Sydney, who in their chants demanded safe streets for women in Australian cities. Aiia Maasarwe, 21, was killed when walking home after a night out with friends in Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, earlier this week. A 20-year-old man was charged with her murder. Maasarwe's death recharged outrage over violence against women after 22-year-old Eurydice Dixon was killed in Melbourne while walking home after performing at a comedy show in June. Thousands of people gathered at vigils for Maasarwe on Friday and continued to lay flowers at the site of her death. A special tram carrying only flowers late on Friday followed the route of Maasarwe's final journey. In Sydney on Sunday marchers held signs paying tribute to Maasarwe and other victims of violence. Television news showed women carrying signs: "For Aiia and for those who suffer silently" and "I wanna walk through the park in the dark". "I don't want my daughter to grow up in a world where she's unsafe or she can't pursue the opportunities she wants and I march for my son because I don't want him to grow up in a world where toxic masculinity is acceptable," said Samantha Nolan-Smith, one of several hundred protesters in the Australian capital Canberra, reported Australian Broadcasting Corp. In reaction to Maasarwe's death, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government would announce another "action plan" to stem violence against women ahead of an election expected by May, on top of A$350 million ($252 million) that has already been committed.

Australian rallies demand safe streets for women after Israeli student murder

<p>Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the test series against Sri Lanka due to a back injury, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Saturday.</p>

<p>Jhye Richardson, uncapped at test level, has been called into the squad in place of Hazlewood, who has taken 164 wickets in 44 tests.</p>

<p>"Josh has reported some back soreness over the last few days and scans have revealed a very early stage stress fracture in the same lower back area as his previous injury from last summer," CA physiotherapist David Beakley said in a statement.</p>

<p>"He will now begin a rehabilitation programme and we are confident he will be available for selection ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in the UK later this year."Richardson, 22, has played seven one-day and seven Twenty20 internationals.&nbsp;"Jhye has had an impressive first half in his Sheffield Shield season and no-one could deny he has now continued that form in ODI matches for Australia," national selector Trevor Hohns said.Australia's test squad is due to meet up in Brisbane on Saturday evening, ahead of the first day-night test against Sri Lanka at the Gabba starting on Thursday.</p>


Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the test series against Sri Lanka due to a back injury, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Saturday. Jhye Richardson, uncapped at test level, has been called into the squad in place of Hazlewood, who has taken 164 wickets in 44 tests.

Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the test series against Sri Lanka due to a back injury, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Saturday. Jhye Richardson, uncapped at test level, has been called into the squad in place of Hazlewood, who has taken 164 wickets in 44 tests. "Josh has reported some back soreness over the last few days and scans have revealed a very early stage stress fracture in the same lower back area as his previous injury from last summer," CA physiotherapist David Beakley said in a statement. "He will now begin a rehabilitation programme and we are confident he will be available for selection ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in the UK later this year."Richardson, 22, has played seven one-day and seven Twenty20 internationals. "Jhye has had an impressive first half in his Sheffield Shield season and no-one could deny he has now continued that form in ODI matches for Australia," national selector Trevor Hohns said.Australia's test squad is due to meet up in Brisbane on Saturday evening, ahead of the first day-night test against Sri Lanka at the Gabba starting on Thursday.

Australia's Josh Hazlewood ruled out of Sri Lanka series, replacement announced

<p>Former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni Friday said he has no preference in the Indian batting order and is ready to bat at any position as per the need of the team.</p>

<p>Dhoni was adjudged the Man of the Series after he guided India to a comfortable seven-wicket win in the third ODI, thus securing a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/india-win-maiden-odi-series-against-australia-down-under-191245">maiden 2-1 series win in Australia</a>.</p>

<p>Batting at number four, Dhoni, who generally bats at number six, anchored India's chase with a 114-ball 87 not out which was studded with six boundaries.</p>

<p>"I am happy to bat at any number. The important thing is where the team needs me," said Dhoni, when asked where he wants to bat.</p>

<p>"Whether I play at 4 or 6, we need to see if the team balance can be retained. I'm happy to bat lower down at 6. I can't say I can't bat at No. 6 after playing 14 years," he said after the match.</p>

<p>Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav shared a 121-run partnership for the unconquered fourth wicket while chasing a tricky target of 231.</p>

<p>Asked what the game plan was, Dhoni said: "It was a slow wicket, so it was difficult to hit whenever you wanted to. No point going after the bowlers who were bowling well, so we wanted to take it deep and that was the plan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Of course supported brilliantly by Kedar, who plays unorthodox shots. He did a great job in executing."</p>

<p>India captain Virat Kohli praised the team for the win.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It wasn't a great wicket to bat on, so we had to take it deep, but they were professional in getting the job done," he said.</p>

<p>"Kedar with bat and ball is always handy. Kuldeep had played a few games, so you don't want to make things too predictable. So we brought on Yuzvendra Chahal, and he played beautifully."</p>

<p>It is the first time India remained unbeaten on Australian soil in all three formats and Kohli said it augurs well for the upcoming World Cup.</p>

<p>"It's been an amazing tour for us. We drew the T20 series, won the Test and the ODI series. We are feeling confident and balanced as a side with the World Cup in mind," he said.</p>

<p>Playing his first match in the series, Chahal sizzled with a maiden six-wicket haul to be adjudged the Man of the Match.</p>

<p>"I enjoyed bowling for the first time in Australia (internationals)," Chahal said.</p>

<p>"The ball was spinning a little bit, so I planned to bowl slow and vary my pace. Looking forward to the New Zealand series."</p>

<p>Australian captain Aaron Finch said: "We took it down to the wire. Our batting in the first couple of games was very good. Maybe we should have set our targets lower on those sort of pitches.</p>

<p>"When you give great players a couple of chances, it's always tough...We did put down chances, but the boys gave it their all. Their batting in the first couple of games was very good."&nbsp;</p>


Former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni Friday said he has no preference in the Indian batting order and is ready to bat at any position as per the need of the team.

Former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni Friday said he has no preference in the Indian batting order and is ready to bat at any position as per the need of the team. Dhoni was adjudged the Man of the Series after he guided India to a comfortable seven-wicket win in the third ODI, thus securing a maiden 2-1 series win in Australia. Batting at number four, Dhoni, who generally bats at number six, anchored India's chase with a 114-ball 87 not out which was studded with six boundaries. "I am happy to bat at any number. The important thing is where the team needs me," said Dhoni, when asked where he wants to bat. "Whether I play at 4 or 6, we need to see if the team balance can be retained. I'm happy to bat lower down at 6. I can't say I can't bat at No. 6 after playing 14 years," he said after the match. Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav shared a 121-run partnership for the unconquered fourth wicket while chasing a tricky target of 231. Asked what the game plan was, Dhoni said: "It was a slow wicket, so it was difficult to hit whenever you wanted to. No point going after the bowlers who were bowling well, so we wanted to take it deep and that was the plan. "Of course supported brilliantly by Kedar, who plays unorthodox shots. He did a great job in executing." India captain Virat Kohli praised the team for the win. "It wasn't a great wicket to bat on, so we had to take it deep, but they were professional in getting the job done," he said. "Kedar with bat and ball is always handy. Kuldeep had played a few games, so you don't want to make things too predictable. So we brought on Yuzvendra Chahal, and he played beautifully." It is the first time India remained unbeaten on Australian soil in all three formats and Kohli said it augurs well for the upcoming World Cup. "It's been an amazing tour for us. We drew the T20 series, won the Test and the ODI series. We are feeling confident and balanced as a side with the World Cup in mind," he said. Playing his first match in the series, Chahal sizzled with a maiden six-wicket haul to be adjudged the Man of the Match. "I enjoyed bowling for the first time in Australia (internationals)," Chahal said. "The ball was spinning a little bit, so I planned to bowl slow and vary my pace. Looking forward to the New Zealand series." Australian captain Aaron Finch said: "We took it down to the wire. Our batting in the first couple of games was very good. Maybe we should have set our targets lower on those sort of pitches. "When you give great players a couple of chances, it's always tough...We did put down chances, but the boys gave it their all. Their batting in the first couple of games was very good."

I'm ready to bat at any position, says Mahendra Singh Dhoni

In pics: Temperatures soar to near 50 as heatwave hits southeast Australia

<p>India's wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant remained in the headlines when he shared a picture on his Instagram account posing with a girl named Isha Negi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He created a buzz on the internet when his fans started talking about his girlfriend. Pant is enjoying a break away from national duty when he wasn't picked for the ODI series against Australia and New Zealand.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With a heart emoticon, Pant quoted the picture: "I just want to make you happy because you are the reason I am so happy."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pant has attracted attention for the same and his fans and the followers were amazed after his picture with the girl went viral on social forums.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Isha, whose Instagram profile goes by the name of 'ishane...', has also shared the same image captioning, "My man, my soulmate, my best friend, the love of my life."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Isha, who has above 50k Instagram followers, is an entrepreneur and an interior decor designer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the media reports, Isha is said to be a Jesus and Mary College Alumni who also studied at the Amity University.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Here are some pictures of Isha Negi:&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bss35DfFKpF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">My man, my soulmate, my best friend, the love of my life. @rishabpant</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ishanegi_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Įsha Negi 👑</a> (@ishanegi_) on <time datetime="2019-01-16T15:52:33+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 16, 2019 at 7:52am PST</time></p>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BscuYd7l1oK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Not your Barbie girl. I live in my own world.</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ishanegi_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Įsha Negi 👑</a> (@ishanegi_) on <time datetime="2019-01-10T09:21:37+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 10, 2019 at 1:21am PST</time></p>
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<p>Pant, who displayed a stellar performance in the three-match Test series against Australia, is expecting a call for the ICC 2019 World Cup.&nbsp;</p>


India's wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant remained in the headlines when he shared a picture on his Instagram account posing with a girl named Isha Negi. He created a buzz on the internet when his fans started talking about his girlfriend.

India's wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant remained in the headlines when he shared a picture on his Instagram account posing with a girl named Isha Negi. He created a buzz on the internet when his fans started talking about his girlfriend. Pant is enjoying a break away from national duty when he wasn't picked for the ODI series against Australia and New Zealand. With a heart emoticon, Pant quoted the picture: "I just want to make you happy because you are the reason I am so happy." Pant has attracted attention for the same and his fans and the followers were amazed after his picture with the girl went viral on social forums. Isha, whose Instagram profile goes by the name of 'ishane...', has also shared the same image captioning, "My man, my soulmate, my best friend, the love of my life." Isha, who has above 50k Instagram followers, is an entrepreneur and an interior decor designer. As per the media reports, Isha is said to be a Jesus and Mary College Alumni who also studied at the Amity University. Here are some pictures of Isha Negi: View this post on Instagram My man, my soulmate, my best friend, the love of my life. @rishabpant A post shared by Įsha Negi 👑 (@ishanegi_) on Jan 16, 2019 at 7:52am PST × View this post on Instagram Not your Barbie girl. I live in my own world. A post shared by Įsha Negi 👑 (@ishanegi_) on Jan 10, 2019 at 1:21am PST × Pant, who displayed a stellar performance in the three-match Test series against Australia, is expecting a call for the ICC 2019 World Cup.

Meet Isha Negi, who calls cricketer Rishabh Pant the 'love of my life'

<p>Australian towns were among the hottest places on Earth this week as a severe heatwave hit the continent's southeast, with forecasters warning of more record-breaking temperatures before the weekend.</p>

<p>The past four days were among the country's top 10 warmest on record, with temperatures nearing 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in some spots, the Bureau of Meteorology said Wednesday.</p>

<p>"With South Australia breaking some all-time records yesterday, it would certainly put this region as one of the warmest parts of the world yesterday, if not the warmest," the bureau's senior meteorologist Philip Perkins told AFP.</p>

<p>"The places that broke records yesterday are already warmer at this time today as they were yesterday."</p>

<p>High temperatures are not unusual in Australia during its arid southern hemisphere summer, with bushfires a common occurrence.</p>

<p>But climate change has pushed up land and sea temperatures and led to more extremely hot days and severe fire seasons.</p>

<p>Among the towns in South Australia state experiencing their hottest temperatures on record Tuesday was tiny Tarcoola in the region's far north, which reached 49 degrees Celsius.</p>

<p>The city of Port Augusta recorded a temperature of 48.9 degrees Celsius, almost one degree higher than its previous record set on February 7, 2009 -- the same day Victoria state endured the devastating "Black Saturday" bushfires that left 173 dead in the nation's worst natural disaster.</p>

<p>The desert town of Coober Pedy -- where some residents live underground to escape the harsh conditions -- equalled its temperature record of 47.4 degrees Celsius.</p>

<p>In the state's capital Adelaide, where cycling's Tour Down Under and the cricket One Day International between Australia and India were being held, athletes sweltered through a maximum temperature of 41.9 degree Celsius.</p>

<p>Overnight temperatures were also set to remain high, before a rapid change to cooler conditions from late Thursday when a cold front currently over the Southern Ocean sweeps across southern Australia, Perkins said.</p>

<p>"Everything's sort of a bit of a pressure cooker at the moment, and everything's getting hotter and more humid and we're all doing a slow clap waiting for this change to come through," he added.</p>

<p>Australia's creatures, already battered by a drought plaguing the east of the vast continent, are also feeling the heat.</p>

<p>Up to one million fish are believed to have died along the banks of a major river system, with authorities warning of more deaths to come as temperatures soar.</p>

<p>The New South Wales state government said it would install aerators in some waterways to keep the levels of oxygen up for fish to reduce the likelihood of more mass deaths.</p>


Australian towns were among the hottest places on Earth this week as a severe heatwave hit the continent's southeast, with forecasters warning of more record-breaking temperatures before the weekend.

Australian towns were among the hottest places on Earth this week as a severe heatwave hit the continent's southeast, with forecasters warning of more record-breaking temperatures before the weekend. The past four days were among the country's top 10 warmest on record, with temperatures nearing 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in some spots, the Bureau of Meteorology said Wednesday. "With South Australia breaking some all-time records yesterday, it would certainly put this region as one of the warmest parts of the world yesterday, if not the warmest," the bureau's senior meteorologist Philip Perkins told AFP. "The places that broke records yesterday are already warmer at this time today as they were yesterday." High temperatures are not unusual in Australia during its arid southern hemisphere summer, with bushfires a common occurrence. But climate change has pushed up land and sea temperatures and led to more extremely hot days and severe fire seasons. Among the towns in South Australia state experiencing their hottest temperatures on record Tuesday was tiny Tarcoola in the region's far north, which reached 49 degrees Celsius. The city of Port Augusta recorded a temperature of 48.9 degrees Celsius, almost one degree higher than its previous record set on February 7, 2009 -- the same day Victoria state endured the devastating "Black Saturday" bushfires that left 173 dead in the nation's worst natural disaster. The desert town of Coober Pedy -- where some residents live underground to escape the harsh conditions -- equalled its temperature record of 47.4 degrees Celsius. In the state's capital Adelaide, where cycling's Tour Down Under and the cricket One Day International between Australia and India were being held, athletes sweltered through a maximum temperature of 41.9 degree Celsius. Overnight temperatures were also set to remain high, before a rapid change to cooler conditions from late Thursday when a cold front currently over the Southern Ocean sweeps across southern Australia, Perkins said. "Everything's sort of a bit of a pressure cooker at the moment, and everything's getting hotter and more humid and we're all doing a slow clap waiting for this change to come through," he added. Australia's creatures, already battered by a drought plaguing the east of the vast continent, are also feeling the heat. Up to one million fish are believed to have died along the banks of a major river system, with authorities warning of more deaths to come as temperatures soar. The New South Wales state government said it would install aerators in some waterways to keep the levels of oxygen up for fish to reduce the likelihood of more mass deaths.

Australian towns among hottest spots on Earth with temperatures nearing 50 degrees Celsius

<p>An Israeli student has been killed in a late-night attack in Australia while she was speaking on the phone with her sister, police said Thursday.</p>

<p>Police appealed to the public for help tracking down the killer of 21-year-old Aiia Maasarwe, whose body was found early Wednesday near the campus of the Melbourne University where she was studying.</p>

<p>"This was a horrendous, horrific attack inflicted on a completely innocent young woman who was a visitor to our city," Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper told reporters in Melbourne Thursday.</p>

<p>Maasarwe, who was reportedly five months into a year-long exchange at Melbourne's LaTrobe University, was riding a tram home from a comedy club to the suburb of Bundoora before she was met by her attacker around midnight.</p>

<p>She was talking on the phone with her sister, who was overseas and raised the alarm after something went awry mid-conversation, police said.</p>

<p>"(Her sister) heard the sound of the phone falling to the ground and heard some voices," Stamper said.</p>

<p>Her body was found Wednesday morning by passers-by at 7:00 am about 50 meters (165 feet) from the stop where she exited the tram.</p>

<p>Stamper said the report from her sister came in at about the same time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police would not confirm reports they were investigating a sexual assault but said known sex offenders are an "active line of enquiry".</p>

<p>Officers retrieved a black baseball cap and a grey t-shirt they believe were worn by the perpetrator from the crime scene, which they described as "very distressing".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The victim's family, who are on their way to Australia, described Maasarwe as "happy", "adventurous" and "smart".</p>

<p>"I was in shock, I couldn't believe it... the day before my wife had said to me, 'We'll have to go to Australia, Australia's very safe, very nice'," the victim's uncle Rame Maasarwe told national broadcaster ABC from the United States.</p>

<p>"We cannot believe that something like this happened in Australia, we think it's very safe there."</p>

<p>Maasarwe was reportedly planning to go to China to work with her father's business after her studies.</p>

<p>Police said they were "confident" of finding the perpetrator.</p>


An Israeli student has been killed in a late-night attack in Australia while she was speaking on the phone with her sister, police said Thursday. Police appealed to the public for help tracking down the killer of 21-year-old Aiia Maasarwe, whose body was found early Wednesday near the campus of the Melbourne University where she was studying.

An Israeli student has been killed in a late-night attack in Australia while she was speaking on the phone with her sister, police said Thursday. Police appealed to the public for help tracking down the killer of 21-year-old Aiia Maasarwe, whose body was found early Wednesday near the campus of the Melbourne University where she was studying. "This was a horrendous, horrific attack inflicted on a completely innocent young woman who was a visitor to our city," Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper told reporters in Melbourne Thursday. Maasarwe, who was reportedly five months into a year-long exchange at Melbourne's LaTrobe University, was riding a tram home from a comedy club to the suburb of Bundoora before she was met by her attacker around midnight. She was talking on the phone with her sister, who was overseas and raised the alarm after something went awry mid-conversation, police said. "(Her sister) heard the sound of the phone falling to the ground and heard some voices," Stamper said. Her body was found Wednesday morning by passers-by at 7:00 am about 50 meters (165 feet) from the stop where she exited the tram. Stamper said the report from her sister came in at about the same time. Police would not confirm reports they were investigating a sexual assault but said known sex offenders are an "active line of enquiry". Officers retrieved a black baseball cap and a grey t-shirt they believe were worn by the perpetrator from the crime scene, which they described as "very distressing". The victim's family, who are on their way to Australia, described Maasarwe as "happy", "adventurous" and "smart". "I was in shock, I couldn't believe it... the day before my wife had said to me, 'We'll have to go to Australia, Australia's very safe, very nice'," the victim's uncle Rame Maasarwe told national broadcaster ABC from the United States. "We cannot believe that something like this happened in Australia, we think it's very safe there." Maasarwe was reportedly planning to go to China to work with her father's business after her studies. Police said they were "confident" of finding the perpetrator.

'Horrific attack': Israeli student murdered in Australia while on phone with sister

<p>Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma gave India a solid start while chasing a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-aus-shaun-marshs-patient-131-powers-australia-to-mammoth-298-in-2nd-odi-190409">mammoth 298 set by Australia in the second ODI </a>on Tuesday, before the visitors lost the left-handed batsman, who was trying to hit a big shot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dhawan departed off Behrendorff after making 32 runs, which included five boundaries. Rohit, who slammed a brilliant century in the first ODI, was also going strong but lost his wicket at 43.</p>

<p>After 23 overs, India's score stands at 121 for the loss of two wickets.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, Shaun Marsh slammed a patient century to lift Australia while wickets kept falling at the other hand in the second ODI against India on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Playing at an economy of 106.5, Marsh hit 131 runs in123 balls to set India a target of 299 runs. The 35-year-old, however, lost his wicket by giving an easy catch to Ravindra Jadeja while trying to hit a six off Bhuneshwar Kumar. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Marsh found an ally in Glenn Maxwell, who got lucky twice but was finally dismissed for 48 runs off Bhuneshwar. Australia, who stood at 218 for the loss of five wickets at 42 overs, lost four more wickets in the following eight overs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Australia lost its third wicket in the form of Usman Khawaja, who was run-out by Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The fourth damage was caused after Peter Handscomb was dismissed by Dhoni off Jadeja only</p>

<p>Indian pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami on Tuesday struck early to dismiss Australian openers Aaron Finch and Alex Carey respectively, not allowing them to cause much damage with the bat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bhuvneshwar drew the first blood for his side as he bowled skipper Finch for just 6 runs. In the next over of Shami, wicketkeeper-batsman Carey was sent back to the pavilion for 18 runs.</p>

<p>Bhuvneshwar, who is a death-over specialist, ended his 10 overs with four wickets and giving away 45 runs. Mohammed Shami to clinched three wickets and gave away 58 runs in his 10 overs.&nbsp;</p>


Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma gave India a solid start while chasing a mammoth 298 set by Australia in the second ODI on Tuesday, before the visitors lost the left-handed batsman, who was trying to hit a big shot.

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma gave India a solid start while chasing a mammoth 298 set by Australia in the second ODI on Tuesday, before the visitors lost the left-handed batsman, who was trying to hit a big shot. Dhawan departed off Behrendorff after making 32 runs, which included five boundaries. Rohit, who slammed a brilliant century in the first ODI, was also going strong but lost his wicket at 43. After 23 overs, India's score stands at 121 for the loss of two wickets. Earlier, Shaun Marsh slammed a patient century to lift Australia while wickets kept falling at the other hand in the second ODI against India on Tuesday. Playing at an economy of 106.5, Marsh hit 131 runs in123 balls to set India a target of 299 runs. The 35-year-old, however, lost his wicket by giving an easy catch to Ravindra Jadeja while trying to hit a six off Bhuneshwar Kumar. Marsh found an ally in Glenn Maxwell, who got lucky twice but was finally dismissed for 48 runs off Bhuneshwar. Australia, who stood at 218 for the loss of five wickets at 42 overs, lost four more wickets in the following eight overs. Australia lost its third wicket in the form of Usman Khawaja, who was run-out by Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The fourth damage was caused after Peter Handscomb was dismissed by Dhoni off Jadeja only Indian pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami on Tuesday struck early to dismiss Australian openers Aaron Finch and Alex Carey respectively, not allowing them to cause much damage with the bat. Bhuvneshwar drew the first blood for his side as he bowled skipper Finch for just 6 runs. In the next over of Shami, wicketkeeper-batsman Carey was sent back to the pavilion for 18 runs. Bhuvneshwar, who is a death-over specialist, ended his 10 overs with four wickets and giving away 45 runs. Mohammed Shami to clinched three wickets and gave away 58 runs in his 10 overs.

IND vs AUS, 2nd ODI: Rohit and Dhawan depart, India 121/2 after 23 overs

<p>Australia defeated India in the first one-day match of a three-match series by 34 runs at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After winning the toss, Australian skipper Aaron Finch elected to bat and piled up a 288-run target for team India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chasing the massive total, India lost three quick wickets within five overs and opener Shikhar Dhawan&nbsp;along with skipper Virat Kohli and Ambati Rayudu were sent back to the pavilion by Australia pace attack.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rohit Sharma, who found a determined ally in former skipper MS Dhoni,&nbsp;blasted 133 off 129 balls in a brave effort to keep&nbsp;India&nbsp;in the contest while playing under pressure.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While his career's 22nd ODI century went in vain as India ended up losing at SCG.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For Australia, pacer Jhye Richardson, who took&nbsp;four for 26 for Australia, was given the player of the match.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I am very happy to get (Kohli's) wicket, I'll treasure it for a while but more than that, I'm happy with the win. As a bowling unit, we are clear about our plans, doing our homework and research, being professional out there," said&nbsp;Richardson.</p>

<p>Three of India's top four batsmen could not reach double-digit and lasted a mere 11 balls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Debutant Jason Behrendorff broke the partnership by sending back Dhoni, who became only the fifth Indian batsman to complete 10,000 runs in ODI cricket during the course of his knock that came off 96 balls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dhoni, who has been criticised for his poor batting form, hit a half-century.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Australia register their 1,000th victory in international cricket! 👏<br />
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The Jhye Richardson-led bowling attack powers Australia to a comprehensive 34-run win over India in the first ODI at the SCG.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvIND</a> SCORECARD ⬇️<a href="https://t.co/cJ0yJS6W8v">https://t.co/cJ0yJS6W8v</a> <a href="https://t.co/vWipnuIWKA">pic.twitter.com/vWipnuIWKA</a></p>
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<p>While speaking at the presentation ceremony, Virat said, "We are not very pleased with the way we played. I think it was a 300+ wicket. We thought 280 was chaseable."</p>

<p>He praised Rohit Sharma's effort, saying, "Rohit was outstanding and MS supported him well. They took the game deep, MS got out at the wrong time. If we would have had one more partnership, we would have been close."</p>

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<h5>The Australians have won just three of their last 24 ODIs.&nbsp;</h5>
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<p>In the first innings, Peter Handscomb top-scored with 73 off 61 balls. Three batsmen reached half-centuries but Handscomb, passed over this week by selectors for this month's two Tests against Sri Lanka, led the board with six fours and two sixes.</p>

<p>Shaun Marsh knocked up 54 off 70 balls while Usman Khawaja made 59 from 81.</p>

<p>All-rounder Marcus Stoinis contributed an unbeaten 47 off 43 balls with two fours and two sixes, while limited-over specialist Glenn Maxwell finished 11 off just five balls.</p>

<p>India's Bhuvneshwar Kumar finished with two for 59 and wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed two for 54.</p>

<p>Skipper Aaron Finch fell for six in the third over when he was bowled by Kumar for the paceman's 100th ODI wicket.</p>

<p>Alex Carey fell in Kuldeep's first over when he attempted to cut the leg-spinner, only to get an outside edge to Rohit Sharma at slip for 24 off 31 balls.</p>

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<h5>The next match is at&nbsp;Adelaide Oval on January 15.</h5>
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<p>Khawaja and Marsh put on 92 runs for the third wicket before Khawaja was out leg before wicket to spinner Ravindra Jadeja for 59 in the 29th over.</p>

<p>Khawaja was struck on the front pad while attempting to sweep and sought a review but there was no 'hot spot' detected off the bat.</p>

<p>Marsh look well set before he holed out to Mohammed Shami off Kuldeep at long on, ending a 53-run stand with Handscomb, who later found Shikhar Dhawan at extra cover off Kumar.&nbsp;</p>


Australia defeated India in the first one-day match of a three-match series by 34 runs at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. After winning the toss, Australian skipper Aaron Finch elected to bat and piled up a 288-run target for team India.

Australia defeated India in the first one-day match of a three-match series by 34 runs at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. After winning the toss, Australian skipper Aaron Finch elected to bat and piled up a 288-run target for team India. Chasing the massive total, India lost three quick wickets within five overs and opener Shikhar Dhawan along with skipper Virat Kohli and Ambati Rayudu were sent back to the pavilion by Australia pace attack. Rohit Sharma, who found a determined ally in former skipper MS Dhoni, blasted 133 off 129 balls in a brave effort to keep India in the contest while playing under pressure. While his career's 22nd ODI century went in vain as India ended up losing at SCG. For Australia, pacer Jhye Richardson, who took four for 26 for Australia, was given the player of the match. "I am very happy to get (Kohli's) wicket, I'll treasure it for a while but more than that, I'm happy with the win. As a bowling unit, we are clear about our plans, doing our homework and research, being professional out there," said Richardson. Three of India's top four batsmen could not reach double-digit and lasted a mere 11 balls. Debutant Jason Behrendorff broke the partnership by sending back Dhoni, who became only the fifth Indian batsman to complete 10,000 runs in ODI cricket during the course of his knock that came off 96 balls. Dhoni, who has been criticised for his poor batting form, hit a half-century. Australia register their 1,000th victory in international cricket! 👏 The Jhye Richardson-led bowling attack powers Australia to a comprehensive 34-run win over India in the first ODI at the SCG.#AUSvIND SCORECARD ⬇️https://t.co/cJ0yJS6W8v pic.twitter.com/vWipnuIWKA — ICC (@ICC) January 12, 2019 × While speaking at the presentation ceremony, Virat said, "We are not very pleased with the way we played. I think it was a 300+ wicket. We thought 280 was chaseable." He praised Rohit Sharma's effort, saying, "Rohit was outstanding and MS supported him well. They took the game deep, MS got out at the wrong time. If we would have had one more partnership, we would have been close." The Australians have won just three of their last 24 ODIs. × In the first innings, Peter Handscomb top-scored with 73 off 61 balls. Three batsmen reached half-centuries but Handscomb, passed over this week by selectors for this month's two Tests against Sri Lanka, led the board with six fours and two sixes. Shaun Marsh knocked up 54 off 70 balls while Usman Khawaja made 59 from 81. All-rounder Marcus Stoinis contributed an unbeaten 47 off 43 balls with two fours and two sixes, while limited-over specialist Glenn Maxwell finished 11 off just five balls. India's Bhuvneshwar Kumar finished with two for 59 and wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed two for 54. Skipper Aaron Finch fell for six in the third over when he was bowled by Kumar for the paceman's 100th ODI wicket. Alex Carey fell in Kuldeep's first over when he attempted to cut the leg-spinner, only to get an outside edge to Rohit Sharma at slip for 24 off 31 balls. The next match is at Adelaide Oval on January 15. × Khawaja and Marsh put on 92 runs for the third wicket before Khawaja was out leg before wicket to spinner Ravindra Jadeja for 59 in the 29th over. Khawaja was struck on the front pad while attempting to sweep and sought a review but there was no 'hot spot' detected off the bat. Marsh look well set before he holed out to Mohammed Shami off Kuldeep at long on, ending a 53-run stand with Handscomb, who later found Shikhar Dhawan at extra cover off Kumar.

INDvsAUS, 1st ODI: Jhye Richardson's 4-wicket haul helps Australia beat India by 34 runs

<p>Former Australia captain <a href="http://www.wionews.com/search?q=Steve+Smith">Steve Smith</a> will serve out the remainder of his 12-month ban from international and state cricket recuperating from surgery on his injured elbow, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Saturday.</p>

<p>The 29-year-old, banned with his vice-captain David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft for his part in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal, returned from the Bangladesh Premier League on Saturday for scans on the injured joint.</p>

<p>A CA spokesman said Smith would require an operation on Tuesday to repair a ligament in his right elbow and would be in a brace for six weeks after that with a period of rehabilitation to follow.</p>

<p>That will take him up to the end of his ban on March 28 after which Australia were hoping to bring him back into the one-day international and test teams ahead of the limited overs World Cup and Ashes series.</p>

<p>Bancroft's nine-month ban expired at the end of December while Smith and Warner, who was also suspended for a year, have kept active by playing club cricket in Sydney and Twenty20 tournaments around the world.</p>

<p>Australia have struggled without their two best batsmen, losing a test series to Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates and another to India around the turn of the year -- a first home reverse against an Asian side.</p>

<p>The reigning champions will announce their squad for the May 30-July 14 World Cup in England in Wales towards the end of April. The Ashes series follows in August and September.</p>


Former Australia captain Steve Smith will serve out the remainder of his 12-month ban from international and state cricket recuperating from surgery on his injured elbow, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Saturday.

Former Australia captain Steve Smith will serve out the remainder of his 12-month ban from international and state cricket recuperating from surgery on his injured elbow, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Saturday. The 29-year-old, banned with his vice-captain David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft for his part in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal, returned from the Bangladesh Premier League on Saturday for scans on the injured joint. A CA spokesman said Smith would require an operation on Tuesday to repair a ligament in his right elbow and would be in a brace for six weeks after that with a period of rehabilitation to follow. That will take him up to the end of his ban on March 28 after which Australia were hoping to bring him back into the one-day international and test teams ahead of the limited overs World Cup and Ashes series. Bancroft's nine-month ban expired at the end of December while Smith and Warner, who was also suspended for a year, have kept active by playing club cricket in Sydney and Twenty20 tournaments around the world. Australia have struggled without their two best batsmen, losing a test series to Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates and another to India around the turn of the year -- a first home reverse against an Asian side. The reigning champions will announce their squad for the May 30-July 14 World Cup in England in Wales towards the end of April. The Ashes series follows in August and September.

Australia's Steve Smith to have surgery on elbow injury

<p>Australian police have arrested a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/suspicious-packages-found-in-foreign-missions-in-australia-paramedics-seen-outside-indian-mission-reuters-189127">48-year-old man for allegedly sending dozens</a> of suspicious packages to embassies and consulates around the country, officials said Thursday.</p>

<p>Federal police said the man was arrested at his home in rural Victoria state late Wednesday, hours after several consulates in Melbourne received the suspicious packages.</p>

<p>They alleged that the man had sent 38 parcels in all to consulates and embassies in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.</p>

<p>Police have so far recovered 29 of the packages and identified "all intended recipients". They said there was no "ongoing threat to the general public" from the remaining nine.</p>

<p>The suspect was due to appear in a Melbourne court later Thursday morning to face charges of sending dangerous materials through the post. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, police said.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, emergency services raced to a string of diplomatic facilities in Melbourne which had received packages containing suspected hazardous material.</p>

<p>There was no obvious pattern to countries targeted, with consulates of the United States, China, Italy, India, Japan and New Zealand suffering scares.</p>

<p>There has been no evidence yet that the packages were dangerous, but police Thursday said forensic testing was continuing to determine their exact contents.</p>

<p>The said the material contained in the parcels was believed to have been "sourced" from the suspect's home.</p>

<p>The first suspect packages were found at three consulates and embassies in Sydney and Canberra earlier in the week, leading the Department of Foreign Affairs to send notes to all diplomatic missions Tuesday "alerting them to the possibility of suspicious packages being delivered by mail".</p>


Australian police have arrested a 48-year-old man for allegedly sending dozens of suspicious packages to embassies and consulates around the country, officials said Thursday.

Australian police have arrested a 48-year-old man for allegedly sending dozens of suspicious packages to embassies and consulates around the country, officials said Thursday. Federal police said the man was arrested at his home in rural Victoria state late Wednesday, hours after several consulates in Melbourne received the suspicious packages. They alleged that the man had sent 38 parcels in all to consulates and embassies in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. Police have so far recovered 29 of the packages and identified "all intended recipients". They said there was no "ongoing threat to the general public" from the remaining nine. The suspect was due to appear in a Melbourne court later Thursday morning to face charges of sending dangerous materials through the post. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, police said. On Wednesday, emergency services raced to a string of diplomatic facilities in Melbourne which had received packages containing suspected hazardous material. There was no obvious pattern to countries targeted, with consulates of the United States, China, Italy, India, Japan and New Zealand suffering scares. There has been no evidence yet that the packages were dangerous, but police Thursday said forensic testing was continuing to determine their exact contents. The said the material contained in the parcels was believed to have been "sourced" from the suspect's home. The first suspect packages were found at three consulates and embassies in Sydney and Canberra earlier in the week, leading the Department of Foreign Affairs to send notes to all diplomatic missions Tuesday "alerting them to the possibility of suspicious packages being delivered by mail".

Australian police arrest man over suspect embassy packages

<p>Australia had its third warmest year on record in 2018, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/prince-harry-and-his-wife-meghan-visit-drought-stricken-town-of-austrailia-171865">a year marked by severe drought in parts</a> of the country and a prolonged bushfire season, the Bureau of Meteorology said, with the dry conditions expected to persist in coming months.</p>

<p>Maximum temperatures across <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/despair-as-crippling-drought-hammers-australian-farmers-157962">Australia were the second-warmest</a> on record at 1.55 degrees C (2.8 degrees F) above average, just behind the hottest year in 2013.</p>

<p>The average temperature across Australia in 2018 was 1.14 degrees C above the average for 1961 to 1990, making nine of the past 10 years hotter than average, the bureau said in its annual climate statement.</p>

<p>Annual rainfall was the seventh lowest on record over the southeastern quarter of the country.</p>

<p>"It was a tough year for people dealing with the drought," Bureau senior climatologist Lynette Bettio said in a statement.</p>

<p>The bureau sees little change in the near term.</p>

<p>"The next three months look like a continuation of the warm and dry conditions that we've seen actually over the last 24 months or so," Karl Braganza, the bureau's head of climate monitoring told reporters.</p>

<p>El Nino-like weather conditions that have prevailed in the Pacific Ocean could also suppress rainfall this year, although it was unclear yet how that would develop.</p>

<p>El Nino is usually associated with lower than usual rainfall in eastern Australia.</p>

<p>For 2018, Australia's rainfall was 11 per cent below the average for 1961 to 1990 at 413 millimetres (16.3 inches), which the bureau said was due to natural variability as well as climate change.</p>

<p>The warmer temperatures and a windy winter also meant more evaporation, which led to rapid and intense drying of the landscape, the bureau said.</p>

<p>Global warming is largely to blame for Australia's bushfire season tending to start earlier in spring and extending into autumn, as opposed to just being during the hottest months in summer, Braganza said.</p>

<p>"The shift in the seasonalities and the severity of the fire weather is largely driven by increases in surface temperature, and that, in turn, is related to global warming," he said.</p>


Australia had its third warmest year on record in 2018, a year marked by severe drought in parts of the country and a prolonged bushfire season, the Bureau of Meteorology said, with the dry conditions expected to persist in coming months.

Australia had its third warmest year on record in 2018, a year marked by severe drought in parts of the country and a prolonged bushfire season, the Bureau of Meteorology said, with the dry conditions expected to persist in coming months. Maximum temperatures across Australia were the second-warmest on record at 1.55 degrees C (2.8 degrees F) above average, just behind the hottest year in 2013. The average temperature across Australia in 2018 was 1.14 degrees C above the average for 1961 to 1990, making nine of the past 10 years hotter than average, the bureau said in its annual climate statement. Annual rainfall was the seventh lowest on record over the southeastern quarter of the country. "It was a tough year for people dealing with the drought," Bureau senior climatologist Lynette Bettio said in a statement. The bureau sees little change in the near term. "The next three months look like a continuation of the warm and dry conditions that we've seen actually over the last 24 months or so," Karl Braganza, the bureau's head of climate monitoring told reporters. El Nino-like weather conditions that have prevailed in the Pacific Ocean could also suppress rainfall this year, although it was unclear yet how that would develop. El Nino is usually associated with lower than usual rainfall in eastern Australia. For 2018, Australia's rainfall was 11 per cent below the average for 1961 to 1990 at 413 millimetres (16.3 inches), which the bureau said was due to natural variability as well as climate change. The warmer temperatures and a windy winter also meant more evaporation, which led to rapid and intense drying of the landscape, the bureau said. Global warming is largely to blame for Australia's bushfire season tending to start earlier in spring and extending into autumn, as opposed to just being during the hottest months in summer, Braganza said. "The shift in the seasonalities and the severity of the fire weather is largely driven by increases in surface temperature, and that, in turn, is related to global warming," he said.

Drought-hit Australia recorded third-warmest year in 2018: Bureau of Meteorology

<p>Australian media reports said the paramedics were seen<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/several-suspicious-packages-sent-to-foreign-embassies-in-australia-report-189125"> attending the Indian mission in Melbourne</a> after suspicious packages were discovered in a number of foreign missions in Melbourne and Canberra, news wire Reuters reported.</p>

<p>Reports said staff at the consulate general of India were evacuated from the building for about 40 minutes. However, there has been no report of harm to any staff member.</p>

<p>"Several suspicious packages were delivered to embassies and consulates in Canberra and Melbourne on Wednesday,"&nbsp;the Australian federal police said in a statement.</p>

<p>"The packages are being examined by attending emergency services," the Australian police said.</p>

<p>Reports said&nbsp;hazardous material was also sent to the British consulate general in Melbourne including the US, Korean, Swiss and German diplomatic missions.</p>

<p>"We handled the package according to our standard procedures and in close coordination with local authorities ... who are investigating the incident," a spokesman for the US consulate said.</p>

<p>Vic Emergency, a government response agency, reported several instances of hazardous materials being found across the city on Wednesday, including near the Spanish, Japanese, Egyptian, Indian and Pakistani consulates.</p>

<p>"We are liaising closely with the (Australian Federal Police) and the local authorities regarding the situation. All our staff are safe and accounted for," said a British High Commission spokesperson.</p>


Australian media reports said the paramedics were seen attending the Indian mission in Melbourne after suspicious packages were discovered in a number of foreign missions in Melbourne and Canberra, news wire Reuters reported.

Australian media reports said the paramedics were seen attending the Indian mission in Melbourne after suspicious packages were discovered in a number of foreign missions in Melbourne and Canberra, news wire Reuters reported. Reports said staff at the consulate general of India were evacuated from the building for about 40 minutes. However, there has been no report of harm to any staff member. "Several suspicious packages were delivered to embassies and consulates in Canberra and Melbourne on Wednesday," the Australian federal police said in a statement. "The packages are being examined by attending emergency services," the Australian police said. Reports said hazardous material was also sent to the British consulate general in Melbourne including the US, Korean, Swiss and German diplomatic missions. "We handled the package according to our standard procedures and in close coordination with local authorities ... who are investigating the incident," a spokesman for the US consulate said. Vic Emergency, a government response agency, reported several instances of hazardous materials being found across the city on Wednesday, including near the Spanish, Japanese, Egyptian, Indian and Pakistani consulates. "We are liaising closely with the (Australian Federal Police) and the local authorities regarding the situation. All our staff are safe and accounted for," said a British High Commission spokesperson.

Video: Suspicious packages found in foreign missions including Indian consulate in Australia

<p>The UN has said an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/australian-minister-hints-humanitarian-asylum-for-saudi-teen-in-bangkok-189116">18-year-old Saudi woman</a> who fled her family is a legitimate refugee and has asked Australia to resettle her, Canberra said Wednesday, as the Twitter-led campaign to grant her asylum edged towards resolution.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/australia-to-carefully-consider-saudi-womans-asylum-plea-188996">Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun</a> was stopped by authorities at Bangkok's main airport as she arrived on a flight from Kuwait at the weekend after running away from her family, who she says subjected her to physical and psychological abuse.</p>

<p>Thailand initially said it would deport her at the request of Saudi embassy officials, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/asylum-assessment-of-saudi-women-in-thailand-to-take-days-unhcr-188943">barring her from travelling on to Australia where </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/asylum-assessment-of-saudi-women-in-thailand-to-take-days-unhcr-188943">Qunun</a>&nbsp;said she had intended to claim asylum.</p>

<p>But armed with a phone, she barricaded herself into an airside hotel room and fought back — live-tweeting her fears of deportation in a campaign that swiftly galvanised international support and prompted a sharp U-turn by Thai officials.</p>

<p>Qunun is now in the care of the UN's refugee agency in Bangkok, which is processing her case.</p>

<p>"The UNHCR has referred Ms Rahaf Mohammed Al-Qunun to Australia for consideration for refugee resettlement," Australia's Department of Home Affairs confirmed in a statement.</p>

<p>The department said it would "consider this referral in the usual way, as it does with all UNHCR referrals".</p>

<p>Australian officials have strongly hinted that Qunun's request will be accepted.</p>

<p>"If she is found to be a refugee, then we will give very, very, very serious consideration to a humanitarian visa," health minister Greg Hunt had said before the UN determination was public.</p>

<p><strong>Tweet to victory&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Qunun's desperate tweets ricocheted across social media with the #SaveRahaf hashtag drawing an outpouring of support but also the bile of some hardliners in her native country.</p>

<p>She only joined the social media site at the start of this month but has quickly racked up more than 100,000 followers.</p>

<p>Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch said Qunun had renounced Islam, which puts her at "serious risk" of prosecution in Saudi Arabia.</p>

<p>Her father and brother arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday, but Qunun "refused to see" them, according to Thai immigration police chief Surachate Hakparn, who has been caught up in the international firestorm since Qunun's arrival.</p>

<p>The father met with the UNHCR Wednesday morning and spoke with Surachate in the afternoon for an hour, the immigration head said at a press conference.</p>

<p>He denied abusing or threatening her, and told Surachate that Qunun had "freedom".</p>

<p>"He wants to take his daughter back home, her mother fell sick after hearing her daughter ran away," Surachate said.</p>

<p>Qunun's father told the UNHCR about his objections to her fleeing and would remain in Thailand until a decision was made, Surachate said, adding that this might come on Thursday.</p>

<p>A UNHCR representative told AFP "the process is still ongoing".</p>

<p>On Sunday Qunun told AFP her family was "abusive" and once locked her in a room for six months just for cutting her hair.</p>

<p>Fleeing them while travelling in Kuwait throws her into conflict with Saudi Arabia's "guardianship" system, which allows male family members to make decisions on behalf of female relatives, she said.</p>

<p>That makes it "100 percent" certain she would be killed by her family if she was returned to Saudi, she added.</p>

<p>Footage released by Thai immigration shows Abdulilah al-Shouaibi, Saudi embassy charge d'affaires in Bangkok, complaining in a meeting Tuesday with Surachate that Qunun's smartphone should have been confiscated.</p>

<p>"When she arrived, she open a new (Twitter) account and her followers grew to 45,000 in one day," he said in Arabic.</p>

<p>"It would have been better if they had confiscated her mobile instead of her passport."</p>

<p>The Saudi embassy in Bangkok said it "did not demand her deportation" and that the case was "a family affair".</p>

<p>By Wednesday afternoon, Qunun had returned to posting updates on Twitter, promising to "broadcast continuously to assure" the public of her condition.</p>

<p>"I have prepared my strength and will continue my journey to reach a safe country," she tweeted in Arabic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Don't let anyone break your wings, you're free," she tweeted in English. "fight and get your RIGHTS!"</p>

<p>Amnesty International's Middle East director of campaigns Samah Hadid said Rahaf's story "became an inspiration to millions worldwide", but added that Thailand has often "breached their responsibilities" to asylum seekers and refugees.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The humanity shown to Rahaf must not be a one-off," said Hadid.</p>

<p>Ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia has come under fire since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the country's consulate in Istanbul last year.</p>


The UN has said an 18-year-old Saudi woman who fled her family is a legitimate refugee and has asked Australia to resettle her, Canberra said Wednesday, as the Twitter-led campaign to grant her asylum edged towards resolution.

The UN has said an 18-year-old Saudi woman who fled her family is a legitimate refugee and has asked Australia to resettle her, Canberra said Wednesday, as the Twitter-led campaign to grant her asylum edged towards resolution. Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun was stopped by authorities at Bangkok's main airport as she arrived on a flight from Kuwait at the weekend after running away from her family, who she says subjected her to physical and psychological abuse. Thailand initially said it would deport her at the request of Saudi embassy officials, barring her from travelling on to Australia where Qunun said she had intended to claim asylum. But armed with a phone, she barricaded herself into an airside hotel room and fought back — live-tweeting her fears of deportation in a campaign that swiftly galvanised international support and prompted a sharp U-turn by Thai officials. Qunun is now in the care of the UN's refugee agency in Bangkok, which is processing her case. "The UNHCR has referred Ms Rahaf Mohammed Al-Qunun to Australia for consideration for refugee resettlement," Australia's Department of Home Affairs confirmed in a statement. The department said it would "consider this referral in the usual way, as it does with all UNHCR referrals". Australian officials have strongly hinted that Qunun's request will be accepted. "If she is found to be a refugee, then we will give very, very, very serious consideration to a humanitarian visa," health minister Greg Hunt had said before the UN determination was public. Tweet to victory Qunun's desperate tweets ricocheted across social media with the #SaveRahaf hashtag drawing an outpouring of support but also the bile of some hardliners in her native country. She only joined the social media site at the start of this month but has quickly racked up more than 100,000 followers. Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch said Qunun had renounced Islam, which puts her at "serious risk" of prosecution in Saudi Arabia. Her father and brother arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday, but Qunun "refused to see" them, according to Thai immigration police chief Surachate Hakparn, who has been caught up in the international firestorm since Qunun's arrival. The father met with the UNHCR Wednesday morning and spoke with Surachate in the afternoon for an hour, the immigration head said at a press conference. He denied abusing or threatening her, and told Surachate that Qunun had "freedom". "He wants to take his daughter back home, her mother fell sick after hearing her daughter ran away," Surachate said. Qunun's father told the UNHCR about his objections to her fleeing and would remain in Thailand until a decision was made, Surachate said, adding that this might come on Thursday. A UNHCR representative told AFP "the process is still ongoing". On Sunday Qunun told AFP her family was "abusive" and once locked her in a room for six months just for cutting her hair. Fleeing them while travelling in Kuwait throws her into conflict with Saudi Arabia's "guardianship" system, which allows male family members to make decisions on behalf of female relatives, she said. That makes it "100 percent" certain she would be killed by her family if she was returned to Saudi, she added. Footage released by Thai immigration shows Abdulilah al-Shouaibi, Saudi embassy charge d'affaires in Bangkok, complaining in a meeting Tuesday with Surachate that Qunun's smartphone should have been confiscated. "When she arrived, she open a new (Twitter) account and her followers grew to 45,000 in one day," he said in Arabic. "It would have been better if they had confiscated her mobile instead of her passport." The Saudi embassy in Bangkok said it "did not demand her deportation" and that the case was "a family affair". By Wednesday afternoon, Qunun had returned to posting updates on Twitter, promising to "broadcast continuously to assure" the public of her condition. "I have prepared my strength and will continue my journey to reach a safe country," she tweeted in Arabic. "Don't let anyone break your wings, you're free," she tweeted in English. "fight and get your RIGHTS!" Amnesty International's Middle East director of campaigns Samah Hadid said Rahaf's story "became an inspiration to millions worldwide", but added that Thailand has often "breached their responsibilities" to asylum seekers and refugees. "The humanity shown to Rahaf must not be a one-off," said Hadid. Ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia has come under fire since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the country's consulate in Istanbul last year.

UN says Saudi teen is legitimate refugee, asks Australia to resettle her

<p>Australian authorities are investigating several suspicious packages sent to some foreign embassies in Melbourne, including the US, British, Swiss and German diplomatic missions, domestic media reported on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Images taken by 9News showed firefighters and paramedics attending the Indian and US missions in Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city. There were no immediate reports of any harm to staff.</p>

<p>Police in the southern state of Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital, did not comment immediately when contacted.</p>

<p>A spokeswoman for the British High Commission confirmed its office in Melbourne had received a suspicious package.</p>

<p>"We are liaising closely with the AFP (Australian Federal Police) and the local authorities regarding the situation," she said.</p>

<p>"All our staff are safe and accounted for," she said.</p>


Australian authorities are investigating several suspicious packages sent to some foreign embassies in Melbourne, including the US, British, Swiss and German diplomatic missions, domestic media reported on Wednesday.

Australian authorities are investigating several suspicious packages sent to some foreign embassies in Melbourne, including the US, British, Swiss and German diplomatic missions, domestic media reported on Wednesday. Images taken by 9News showed firefighters and paramedics attending the Indian and US missions in Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city. There were no immediate reports of any harm to staff. Police in the southern state of Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital, did not comment immediately when contacted. A spokeswoman for the British High Commission confirmed its office in Melbourne had received a suspicious package. "We are liaising closely with the AFP (Australian Federal Police) and the local authorities regarding the situation," she said. "All our staff are safe and accounted for," she said.

Several suspicious packages sent to foreign embassies in Australia: Report

<p>Foreign ministers of six countries will be in Delhi this week. Australian, Japanese, Nepalese, Mongolian, Spanish and Iranian foreign ministers will be in the national capital on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono was the first one to arrive in Delhi on Monday. Kono took part in the 10th round of Strategic Dialogue and called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The focus during the Strategic Dialogue was on Indo Pacific. The Ministry of External Affairs, in its release, said "India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership has acquired a broader significance in the current global context" and "has become a factor of prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region."</p>

<p>Australian foreign minister Marise Payne also arrived on Monday. Payne will address the Raisina Dialogue on how Australia and India can work together along with regional partners to deliver a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. This will be Payne’s first visit to India as country's foreign minister and follows President Ram Nath Kovind's visit to the country in November 2018.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Deep rooted ties blossoming into a special strategic and global partnership.<br />
<br />
Japanese Foreign Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/konotaromp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@konotaromp</a> is warmly welcomed by EAM <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a> ahead of the 10th <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiaJapan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiaJapan</a> Strategic Dialogue. EAM had visited Japan in March 2018 for the last edition. <a href="https://t.co/tIJ30uWDEA">pic.twitter.com/tIJ30uWDEA</a></p>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1082277986202779649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Australia’s High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu said, "Minister Payne is visiting at a time when our relationship has grown to become a significant partnership. Our shared interests range widely across political, security, cultural and economic fields."</p>

<p>Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif is also in the city and held talks with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. This comes in the background of India taking over the operations of part of Shahid Beheshti Port, Chabahar in Iran during the Chabahar Trilateral Agreement meeting held on December 24, 2018. The Iranian foreign minister will hold talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Giving details of the visit, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said, "He will meet with Indian officials and participate in a joint trade conference of the two countries. Among other programs of the Iranian foreign minister during this important visit is to attend the annual international conference of the Raisina Dialogue."</p>

<p>Mongolian foreign minister Damdin Tsogtbaatar and Nepalese counterpart Pradeep Kumar Gyawali will also be in Delhi. India has been increasing its engagement with land-lock Mongolia in recent years. India has had close ties with Nepal with PM Modi visiting the country twice last year.</p>

<p>Foreign affairs ministers from as many as 10 countries visited India between November 24 to December 24, 2018.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Foreign ministers of six countries will be in Delhi this week. Australian, Japanese, Nepalese, Mongolian, Spanish and Iranian foreign ministers will be in the national capital on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue.

Foreign ministers of six countries will be in Delhi this week. Australian, Japanese, Nepalese, Mongolian, Spanish and Iranian foreign ministers will be in the national capital on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue. Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono was the first one to arrive in Delhi on Monday. Kono took part in the 10th round of Strategic Dialogue and called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The focus during the Strategic Dialogue was on Indo Pacific. The Ministry of External Affairs, in its release, said "India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership has acquired a broader significance in the current global context" and "has become a factor of prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region." Australian foreign minister Marise Payne also arrived on Monday. Payne will address the Raisina Dialogue on how Australia and India can work together along with regional partners to deliver a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. This will be Payne’s first visit to India as country's foreign minister and follows President Ram Nath Kovind's visit to the country in November 2018. Deep rooted ties blossoming into a special strategic and global partnership. Japanese Foreign Minister @konotaromp is warmly welcomed by EAM @SushmaSwaraj ahead of the 10th #IndiaJapan Strategic Dialogue. EAM had visited Japan in March 2018 for the last edition. pic.twitter.com/tIJ30uWDEA — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 7, 2019 × Australia’s High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu said, "Minister Payne is visiting at a time when our relationship has grown to become a significant partnership. Our shared interests range widely across political, security, cultural and economic fields." Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif is also in the city and held talks with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. This comes in the background of India taking over the operations of part of Shahid Beheshti Port, Chabahar in Iran during the Chabahar Trilateral Agreement meeting held on December 24, 2018. The Iranian foreign minister will hold talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday. Giving details of the visit, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said, "He will meet with Indian officials and participate in a joint trade conference of the two countries. Among other programs of the Iranian foreign minister during this important visit is to attend the annual international conference of the Raisina Dialogue." Mongolian foreign minister Damdin Tsogtbaatar and Nepalese counterpart Pradeep Kumar Gyawali will also be in Delhi. India has been increasing its engagement with land-lock Mongolia in recent years. India has had close ties with Nepal with PM Modi visiting the country twice last year. Foreign affairs ministers from as many as 10 countries visited India between November 24 to December 24, 2018.

Foreign ministers of 6 countries in Delhi this week

<p>Sri Lanka Tuesday recalled batsman Kusal Perera to a 16-member squad for the two-match Test series against Australia starting later this month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Injuries kept Perera out of the New Zealand Test series which Sri Lanka lost 1-0, but he was included in the shorter formats of the game.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He takes his place back in the Test squad for Australia as selectors dropped Dhanushka Gunathilaka over his poor form in New Zealand.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following the Test defeat, Sri Lanka also lost the just concluded three-match one-day international series to New Zealand 3-0. A one-off T20 match is due to be played on Friday in Auckland.</p>

<p>The first Test against Australia opens on January 24 in Brisbane and the second starts on February 1 in Canberra.</p>

<p><strong>Sri Lanka Test squad for Australia:</strong> Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera and Kasun Rajitha.&nbsp;</p>


Sri Lanka Tuesday recalled batsman Kusal Perera to a 16-member squad for the two-match Test series against Australia starting later this month. Injuries kept Perera out of the New Zealand Test series which Sri Lanka lost 1-0, but he was included in the shorter formats of the game.

Sri Lanka Tuesday recalled batsman Kusal Perera to a 16-member squad for the two-match Test series against Australia starting later this month. Injuries kept Perera out of the New Zealand Test series which Sri Lanka lost 1-0, but he was included in the shorter formats of the game. He takes his place back in the Test squad for Australia as selectors dropped Dhanushka Gunathilaka over his poor form in New Zealand. Following the Test defeat, Sri Lanka also lost the just concluded three-match one-day international series to New Zealand 3-0. A one-off T20 match is due to be played on Friday in Auckland. The first Test against Australia opens on January 24 in Brisbane and the second starts on February 1 in Canberra. Sri Lanka Test squad for Australia: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera and Kasun Rajitha.

Sri Lanka recalls Kusal Perera for Australia Tests

Watch: WION Gravitas, 8th January, 2019

<p>Australia are&nbsp;'kidding themselves' if they think the return of Steve Smith and David Warner is the answer to all their problems and a serious overhaul is needed if they are to win the Ashes this year, former England captain Michael Vaughan has said.</p>

<p>Australia lost their first test series at home to India on Monday, a draw in Sydney giving Virat Kohli's side a 2-1 victory, and the hosts failed to muster a single century over the four matches.</p>

<p>Former captain Smith and his vice-captain Warner are serving 12-month bans for their role in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa last year and are not available for selection until the end of March.</p>

<p>While Australia have undoubtedly struggled in the pair's absence, Vaughan said the team's problems ran much deeper and the Ashes series in England would highlight their deficiencies unless big changes were made.</p>

<p>"I cannot see Australia beating England this summer unless they assess themselves brutally," Vaughan wrote in his column for London's Telegraph newspaper.</p>

<p>"Batting techniques have to be better and they need to be more consistent with the ball.</p>

<p>"Every facet of their test team has to improve. They are kidding themselves if they think everything will be rosy when Smith and Warner come back."</p>

<p>Australia have passed 300 runs just three times in 14 innings since Warner and Smith were banned last March, with a highest score of 362 for eight, and Vaughan said the team were not producing enough runs to make them competitive.</p>

<p>"On flat, good batting pitches, Australia really struggled as it is on those tracks that weaknesses are highlighted," Vaughan said of their performances during the India series.</p>

<p>"A batting unit's defences are tested because it is necessary to bat for long periods. Australia are unable to play long innings.</p>

<p>"They look like a team who can score 250-300, and that is good enough on sporting pitches, but not when it is flat."</p>

<p>Australia's trio of pace bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins were also criticised by Vaughan, who said they did not offer enough variety or consistency to exploit pitch conditions in England.</p>

<p>The Australians had just one lbw dismissal in the entire India series, he said, indicating there were not enough deliveries directed at the stumps.</p>

<p>"The bowling is not as good as they think," wrote Vaughan. "To beat England in England, they have to bowl more intelligently.</p>

<p>"It is not often that quick bowlers come to England and blast batsmen out. It may happen in one test but not over the course of a five-match series.</p>

<p>"You need consistent line and length, and skilful manipulation of the conditions.</p>

<p>"At the moment, I do not see Australia having those attributes."</p>


Australia are 'kidding themselves' if they think the return of Steve Smith and David Warner is the answer to all their problems and a serious overhaul is needed if they are to win the Ashes this year, former England captain Michael Vaughan has said.

Australia are 'kidding themselves' if they think the return of Steve Smith and David Warner is the answer to all their problems and a serious overhaul is needed if they are to win the Ashes this year, former England captain Michael Vaughan has said. Australia lost their first test series at home to India on Monday, a draw in Sydney giving Virat Kohli's side a 2-1 victory, and the hosts failed to muster a single century over the four matches. Former captain Smith and his vice-captain Warner are serving 12-month bans for their role in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa last year and are not available for selection until the end of March. While Australia have undoubtedly struggled in the pair's absence, Vaughan said the team's problems ran much deeper and the Ashes series in England would highlight their deficiencies unless big changes were made. "I cannot see Australia beating England this summer unless they assess themselves brutally," Vaughan wrote in his column for London's Telegraph newspaper. "Batting techniques have to be better and they need to be more consistent with the ball. "Every facet of their test team has to improve. They are kidding themselves if they think everything will be rosy when Smith and Warner come back." Australia have passed 300 runs just three times in 14 innings since Warner and Smith were banned last March, with a highest score of 362 for eight, and Vaughan said the team were not producing enough runs to make them competitive. "On flat, good batting pitches, Australia really struggled as it is on those tracks that weaknesses are highlighted," Vaughan said of their performances during the India series. "A batting unit's defences are tested because it is necessary to bat for long periods. Australia are unable to play long innings. "They look like a team who can score 250-300, and that is good enough on sporting pitches, but not when it is flat." Australia's trio of pace bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins were also criticised by Vaughan, who said they did not offer enough variety or consistency to exploit pitch conditions in England. The Australians had just one lbw dismissal in the entire India series, he said, indicating there were not enough deliveries directed at the stumps. "The bowling is not as good as they think," wrote Vaughan. "To beat England in England, they have to bowl more intelligently. "It is not often that quick bowlers come to England and blast batsmen out. It may happen in one test but not over the course of a five-match series. "You need consistent line and length, and skilful manipulation of the conditions. "At the moment, I do not see Australia having those attributes."

Smith, Warner return no cure-all for Australia, says former captain Vaughan

<p>Australia on Tuesday vowed to consider an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-woman-has-left-bangkok-airport-under-care-of-un-agency-thai-official-188859">18-year-old Saudi woman's plea</a> for asylum, further easing fears she could be forcibly returned home.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/asylum-assessment-of-saudi-women-in-thailand-to-take-days-unhcr-188943">Rahaf Mohammed Al-</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/asylum-assessment-of-saudi-women-in-thailand-to-take-days-unhcr-188943">Qunun's</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/asylum-assessment-of-saudi-women-in-thailand-to-take-days-unhcr-188943"> desperate bid</a> to reach Australia will be "carefully considered" if the United Nations deems she is at risk, an official told AFP.</p>

<p>Qunun, fleeing alleged abuse by her conservative family, says she tried to reach Australia on a tourist visa.</p>

<p>But she was stopped en route by authorities in Thailand at the request of the Saudi government, which demanded the woman return to her family.</p>

<p>Qunun barricaded herself in a Bangkok airport hotel room, refusing to leave and posting determined calls for asylum on social media to draw attention to her plight.</p>

<p>She is currently being assessed by the UN's refugee agency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Human rights activists had expressed concerns that Australia's government — which takes a hard line on immigration — may revoke her tourist visa.</p>

<p>The official did not confirm or deny if the visa had been revoked but said it would make no difference to her bid to reach Australia.</p>

<p>"Any application by Ms Al-Qunun for a humanitarian visa will be carefully considered once the UNHCR process has concluded," the official said.</p>

<p>"Whether someone holds a visitor visa does not have a bearing on this process."</p>

<p>Australia had quietly pressed authorities in Thailand to grant the UN access to Qunun, and now wants the matter dealt with quickly.</p>

<p>"The government has made representations to the Thai government and the Bangkok office of the UNHCR about its serious concerns on this matter and the need for Ms Al-Qunun's claim to be assessed expeditiously," the official said.</p>


Australia on Tuesday vowed to consider an 18-year-old Saudi woman's plea for asylum, further easing fears she could be forcibly returned home. Rahaf Mohammed Al-Qunun's desperate bid to reach Australia will be "carefully considered" if the United Nations deems she is at risk, an official told AFP.

Australia on Tuesday vowed to consider an 18-year-old Saudi woman's plea for asylum, further easing fears she could be forcibly returned home. Rahaf Mohammed Al-Qunun's desperate bid to reach Australia will be "carefully considered" if the United Nations deems she is at risk, an official told AFP. Qunun, fleeing alleged abuse by her conservative family, says she tried to reach Australia on a tourist visa. But she was stopped en route by authorities in Thailand at the request of the Saudi government, which demanded the woman return to her family. Qunun barricaded herself in a Bangkok airport hotel room, refusing to leave and posting determined calls for asylum on social media to draw attention to her plight. She is currently being assessed by the UN's refugee agency. Human rights activists had expressed concerns that Australia's government — which takes a hard line on immigration — may revoke her tourist visa. The official did not confirm or deny if the visa had been revoked but said it would make no difference to her bid to reach Australia. "Any application by Ms Al-Qunun for a humanitarian visa will be carefully considered once the UNHCR process has concluded," the official said. "Whether someone holds a visitor visa does not have a bearing on this process." Australia had quietly pressed authorities in Thailand to grant the UN access to Qunun, and now wants the matter dealt with quickly. "The government has made representations to the Thai government and the Bangkok office of the UNHCR about its serious concerns on this matter and the need for Ms Al-Qunun's claim to be assessed expeditiously," the official said.

Australia says it will 'carefully consider' Saudi woman's asylum plea

WION Sports: Team India win historic Test series in Australia

<p>Highly venomous jellyfish have stung more than three thousand people on Australia's northeastern shores in just a few days, authorities said Monday, forcing the closure of several beaches.</p>

<p>The massive influx of Portuguese man o' war jellyfish, whose stings are notoriously painful, has been described as an "invasion" by local media in the state of Queensland.</p>

<p>Coastguard association Surf Life Saving said a "whopping" 3,595 people had suffered painful burns after encounters with the creatures, also known as bluebottles for their transparent bluish appearance.</p>

<p>At least four major beaches remained closed as the organisation warned that even more jellyfish were on their way.</p>

<p>"A wall of bluebottles is approaching #Rainbow beach. Lifesavers are closing the beach. Please stay out of the water," read one of several warnings from Surf Life Saving.</p>

<p>Bluebottle stings are a frequent occurrence and it is not uncommon to hear howls of pain from changing rooms along Australia's eastern beaches during the southern hemisphere's summer.</p>

<p>But the sheer number of people stung in the last few days has surprised authorities.</p>

<p>There are usually around 10,000 cases of bluebottle stings each year on the east coast of Australia, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.</p>

<p>The extraordinary number of stings in the last few days has occurred as strong onshore winds have come in from the north-east, bringing the creatures into contact with swimmers.</p>

<p>The doctors' group describes the symptoms of a sting as an "immediate sharp pain and acute inflammatory skin reaction".</p>

<p>"The intense skin pain can last from minutes to many hours... The sting can also cause systemic signs such as nausea, vomiting and general feeling of malaise."</p>

<p>Treatment includes rinsing the wound with water at 45 degrees Celsius or using ice packs.</p>

<p>It is less straightforward to treat stings from the fearsome Irukandji variety of jellyfish, however.</p>

<p>Stings from these box jellyfish — which can be smaller than a fingernail — can cause acute muscular pain, violent vomiting, feelings of "impending doom", hair that stands on end, strokes, heart failure and death within minutes.</p>

<p>State-backed broadcaster ABC reported that the number of people taken to hospital with Irukandji stings in Queensland this season is already 20, double the normal yearly average.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Coastguard association Surf Life Saving said a 'whopping' 3,595 people had suffered painful burns after encounters with the creatures.

Highly venomous jellyfish have stung more than three thousand people on Australia's northeastern shores in just a few days, authorities said Monday, forcing the closure of several beaches. The massive influx of Portuguese man o' war jellyfish, whose stings are notoriously painful, has been described as an "invasion" by local media in the state of Queensland. Coastguard association Surf Life Saving said a "whopping" 3,595 people had suffered painful burns after encounters with the creatures, also known as bluebottles for their transparent bluish appearance. At least four major beaches remained closed as the organisation warned that even more jellyfish were on their way. "A wall of bluebottles is approaching #Rainbow beach. Lifesavers are closing the beach. Please stay out of the water," read one of several warnings from Surf Life Saving. Bluebottle stings are a frequent occurrence and it is not uncommon to hear howls of pain from changing rooms along Australia's eastern beaches during the southern hemisphere's summer. But the sheer number of people stung in the last few days has surprised authorities. There are usually around 10,000 cases of bluebottle stings each year on the east coast of Australia, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. The extraordinary number of stings in the last few days has occurred as strong onshore winds have come in from the north-east, bringing the creatures into contact with swimmers. The doctors' group describes the symptoms of a sting as an "immediate sharp pain and acute inflammatory skin reaction". "The intense skin pain can last from minutes to many hours... The sting can also cause systemic signs such as nausea, vomiting and general feeling of malaise." Treatment includes rinsing the wound with water at 45 degrees Celsius or using ice packs. It is less straightforward to treat stings from the fearsome Irukandji variety of jellyfish, however. Stings from these box jellyfish — which can be smaller than a fingernail — can cause acute muscular pain, violent vomiting, feelings of "impending doom", hair that stands on end, strokes, heart failure and death within minutes. State-backed broadcaster ABC reported that the number of people taken to hospital with Irukandji stings in Queensland this season is already 20, double the normal yearly average.

Jellyfish invasion: Over three thousand people stung in Australia

<p>Australia were dismissed for 300 after lunch on the fourth day of the final test against India on Sunday, trailing the tourists' first innings of 622-7 declared by 322 and forced to follow-on.</p>

<p>India only need a draw to win the four-match series.</p>

<p>Spinner Kuldeep Yadav struck for his side to put an end to Australia's first inning. Yadav clinched five wickets and ended with figures 99/5 after bowling 31.5 overs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, other Indian bowlers dismissed three Australian batsmen in quick succession after rain delay, on day 4 of the fourth test match.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Play got underway on Sunday after a rain delay of almost four hours at the Sydney Cricket Ground but India took 80 minutes to take the last four wickets at a cost of 64 runs.</p>

<p>Australia were reduced to 236-6 at stumps on day three when bad light had stopped play.</p>

<p>On days one and two, Cheteshwar Pujara (193) and Rishabh Pant (159 not out) helped India to a grand first innings' total of 622-7 declared.</p>

<p>India have an unassailable 2-1 series' lead after winning the first Test in Adelaide by 31 runs and the third Test in Melbourne by 137 runs. Australia had won the second Test in Perth by 146 runs.</p>


Australia were dismissed for 300 after lunch on the fourth day of the final test against India on Sunday, trailing the tourists' first innings of 622-7 declared by 322 and forced to follow-on.

Australia were dismissed for 300 after lunch on the fourth day of the final test against India on Sunday, trailing the tourists' first innings of 622-7 declared by 322 and forced to follow-on. India only need a draw to win the four-match series. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav struck for his side to put an end to Australia's first inning. Yadav clinched five wickets and ended with figures 99/5 after bowling 31.5 overs. Earlier, other Indian bowlers dismissed three Australian batsmen in quick succession after rain delay, on day 4 of the fourth test match. Play got underway on Sunday after a rain delay of almost four hours at the Sydney Cricket Ground but India took 80 minutes to take the last four wickets at a cost of 64 runs. Australia were reduced to 236-6 at stumps on day three when bad light had stopped play. On days one and two, Cheteshwar Pujara (193) and Rishabh Pant (159 not out) helped India to a grand first innings' total of 622-7 declared. India have an unassailable 2-1 series' lead after winning the first Test in Adelaide by 31 runs and the third Test in Melbourne by 137 runs. Australia had won the second Test in Perth by 146 runs.

IND vs AUS, Day 4: Bad light stops play; Australia trail by 316 runs

<p>Australia's Asian Cup title defence suffered a huge blow on Sunday when they were stunned 1-0 by&nbsp;Jordan&nbsp;in their worst ever start to the competition.</p>

<p>Graham Arnold's youthful side had confidently predicted victory in their Group B opener but they were undone by Anas Bani-Yaseen's powerful first-half header.</p>

<p>Australia, who had 76 percent of possession but only six shots on target, were thwarted by a brilliant double save from&nbsp;Jordan's Amir Shafi in the game's dying moments.</p>

<p>It left the injury-hit Aussies with much to ponder ahead of Friday's game against Palestine, when they will need a win to get their campaign up and running.</p>

<p>Arnold, who led Australia to the 2007 quarter-finals in his first stint as Socceroos boss, called the goal "sloppy" and rued a slow start at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.</p>

<p>"It was one of those days, a frustrating day when the ball just didn't seem to bounce," he said, adding: "If you're going to lose a game, it's better to lose your first game.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It's a wake-up call... it's all about where we can improve. We'll get over it very quickly."</p>

<p>Jordan&nbsp;coach Vital Borkelmans, who said he targeted Australia's midfielders Massimo Luongo and Mark Milligan, and exploited the space left by their advancing backs, hailed his hard-running team.</p>

<p>"I told them today, 'God gave you something', and today they were playing for the people of&nbsp;Jordan," said Borkelmans.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They were running like they had three lungs," he added.</p>

<p><strong>Finger-tip save</strong></p>

<p>Australia bossed the opening exchanges but their Brighton 'keeper Mat Ryan made the first save&nbsp;when he kept out Yousef Rawashdeh at his near post after Luongo was dispossessed.</p>

<p>Shortly afterwards, Australia's former South Sudanese refugee Awer Mabil, in his first competitive international, saw a close-range shot blocked by Shafi.</p>

<p>The youthful Socceroos had plenty of possession in the opposition half but rarely threatened, while&nbsp;Jordan&nbsp;were intent on breaking Australia's flow and seeking chances on the break.</p>

<p>Their goal came from a corner on 26 minutes, when defender Bani-Yaseen escaped Luongo's marking and put a thumping header into the top corner, prompting jubilation in the strongly pro-Jordan&nbsp;crowd of just under 5,000.</p>

<p>Suddenly Australia were rocking and three minutes later, they were grateful for Ryan's finger-tip save as he pushed Baha Abdelrahman's free kick onto the bar.</p>

<p>In the second half, Arnold brought on Rhyan Grant and then Chris Ikonomidis to find a way through&nbsp;Jordan's defence.</p>

<p>Celtic forward Tom Rogic's stinging shot was kept out by Shafi, before Ikonomidis's attempt at a follow-up was smothered by the defence.</p>

<p>Rogic passed up an opportunity for the equaliser on 72 minutes, when he was free in the box but scooped his shot well over from Aziz Behich's cross.</p>

<p>Six minutes later, the lively Mabil smashed one off the upright with Shafi beaten, before Ikonomidis's header was scrambled off the line.</p>

<p>Jamie Maclaren had a goal chalked off for offside and with the last action of the game, Shafi denied both Ikonomidis and Jackson Irvine, capping Australia's misery and triggering joyful celebrations among the Jordanians.</p>


Australia's Asian Cup title defence suffered a huge blow on Sunday when they were stunned 1-0 by Jordan in their worst ever start to the competition. Graham Arnold's youthful side had confidently predicted victory in their Group B opener but they were undone by Anas Bani-Yaseen's powerful first-half header.

Australia's Asian Cup title defence suffered a huge blow on Sunday when they were stunned 1-0 by Jordan in their worst ever start to the competition. Graham Arnold's youthful side had confidently predicted victory in their Group B opener but they were undone by Anas Bani-Yaseen's powerful first-half header. Australia, who had 76 percent of possession but only six shots on target, were thwarted by a brilliant double save from Jordan's Amir Shafi in the game's dying moments. It left the injury-hit Aussies with much to ponder ahead of Friday's game against Palestine, when they will need a win to get their campaign up and running. Arnold, who led Australia to the 2007 quarter-finals in his first stint as Socceroos boss, called the goal "sloppy" and rued a slow start at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. "It was one of those days, a frustrating day when the ball just didn't seem to bounce," he said, adding: "If you're going to lose a game, it's better to lose your first game. "It's a wake-up call... it's all about where we can improve. We'll get over it very quickly." Jordan coach Vital Borkelmans, who said he targeted Australia's midfielders Massimo Luongo and Mark Milligan, and exploited the space left by their advancing backs, hailed his hard-running team. "I told them today, 'God gave you something', and today they were playing for the people of Jordan," said Borkelmans. "They were running like they had three lungs," he added. Finger-tip save Australia bossed the opening exchanges but their Brighton 'keeper Mat Ryan made the first save when he kept out Yousef Rawashdeh at his near post after Luongo was dispossessed. Shortly afterwards, Australia's former South Sudanese refugee Awer Mabil, in his first competitive international, saw a close-range shot blocked by Shafi. The youthful Socceroos had plenty of possession in the opposition half but rarely threatened, while Jordan were intent on breaking Australia's flow and seeking chances on the break. Their goal came from a corner on 26 minutes, when defender Bani-Yaseen escaped Luongo's marking and put a thumping header into the top corner, prompting jubilation in the strongly pro-Jordan crowd of just under 5,000. Suddenly Australia were rocking and three minutes later, they were grateful for Ryan's finger-tip save as he pushed Baha Abdelrahman's free kick onto the bar. In the second half, Arnold brought on Rhyan Grant and then Chris Ikonomidis to find a way through Jordan's defence. Celtic forward Tom Rogic's stinging shot was kept out by Shafi, before Ikonomidis's attempt at a follow-up was smothered by the defence. Rogic passed up an opportunity for the equaliser on 72 minutes, when he was free in the box but scooped his shot well over from Aziz Behich's cross. Six minutes later, the lively Mabil smashed one off the upright with Shafi beaten, before Ikonomidis's header was scrambled off the line. Jamie Maclaren had a goal chalked off for offside and with the last action of the game, Shafi denied both Ikonomidis and Jackson Irvine, capping Australia's misery and triggering joyful celebrations among the Jordanians.

Asian Cup 2019: Holders Australia fall to shock Jordan loss

<p>Wildfires burned in parts of Australia`s densely-populated southeast on Saturday, although weather officials expected falling temperatures to bring relief for Sydney by early afternoon.</p>

<p>One fire in eastern Victoria, the second most populous state, prompted fire authorities to issue a watch and act warning for residents in 14 different towns.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The fire near Rosedale, about 200 km (124 miles) east of Melbourne, had burnt more than 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) and sudden wind changes on Friday created risky conditions for roughly 40 firefighters, an emergency official said.</p>

<p>"They found themselves in a very serious situation and they were shaken," Andrew Crisp, the state`s emergency management commissioner, told reporters on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The origin of the Rosedale fire and another in Victoria were being treated as suspicious, with police and fire authorities investigating their cause, he added.</p>

<p>In the southern island state of Tasmania, a bushfire had burnt through 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres) of southwestern wilderness by Saturday, fire officials said.</p>

<p>Both Victoria and Tasmania had sweltered through above average temperatures on Friday, with Melbourne recording a near-record 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 F) and Hobart reaching 40 C (104 F).</p>

<p>But both states will see far cooler temperatures over the weekend, following a rapid cool change on Friday, weather officials said.</p>

<p>"At 4.00 p.m., (Melbourne) was at 42 degrees, by 4.20 p.m. it was down to 26 degrees, and then continued to drop after that," Keris Arndt, a meteorologist with the weather bureau, told Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yet by Saturday morning the cooling temperatures had not reached parts of Sydney, Australia`s most populous city, where the mercury reached almost 38 C (100.4 F) by midday.</p>

<p>A Bureau of Meteorology forecaster told Reuters the weather pattern that brought temperature drops to Melbourne and Tasmania was expected to reach Sydney by afternoon.</p>


Wildfires burned in parts of Australia`s densely-populated southeast on Saturday, although weather officials expected falling temperatures to bring relief for Sydney by early afternoon.

Wildfires burned in parts of Australia`s densely-populated southeast on Saturday, although weather officials expected falling temperatures to bring relief for Sydney by early afternoon. One fire in eastern Victoria, the second most populous state, prompted fire authorities to issue a watch and act warning for residents in 14 different towns. The fire near Rosedale, about 200 km (124 miles) east of Melbourne, had burnt more than 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) and sudden wind changes on Friday created risky conditions for roughly 40 firefighters, an emergency official said. "They found themselves in a very serious situation and they were shaken," Andrew Crisp, the state`s emergency management commissioner, told reporters on Saturday. The origin of the Rosedale fire and another in Victoria were being treated as suspicious, with police and fire authorities investigating their cause, he added. In the southern island state of Tasmania, a bushfire had burnt through 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres) of southwestern wilderness by Saturday, fire officials said. Both Victoria and Tasmania had sweltered through above average temperatures on Friday, with Melbourne recording a near-record 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 F) and Hobart reaching 40 C (104 F). But both states will see far cooler temperatures over the weekend, following a rapid cool change on Friday, weather officials said. "At 4.00 p.m., (Melbourne) was at 42 degrees, by 4.20 p.m. it was down to 26 degrees, and then continued to drop after that," Keris Arndt, a meteorologist with the weather bureau, told Reuters. Yet by Saturday morning the cooling temperatures had not reached parts of Sydney, Australia`s most populous city, where the mercury reached almost 38 C (100.4 F) by midday. A Bureau of Meteorology forecaster told Reuters the weather pattern that brought temperature drops to Melbourne and Tasmania was expected to reach Sydney by afternoon.

Bushfires rage in Australia's southeast but Sydney temperatures could drop

<p>Pakistan are hoping to host top teams like Australia and South Africa in the near future after what is being seen as a successful trip by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Ehsan Mani, to Johannesburg.</p>

<p>According to a reliable source in the board, Mani has held positive discussions with Cricket South Africa officials about them sending teams to Pakistan.</p>

<p>"Cricket SA officials have told Mani they will look into sending the South African under-19, A, women's and senior teams to Pakistan over a period of time," the source said.</p>

<p>He said the PCB is also optimistic that Cricket Australia might agree to play one or two ODIs in late March-April in Lahore and Karachi.</p>

<p>"Things are looking bright after the positive response of CSA with regards to getting more international cricket matches in Pakistan," he added.</p>

<p>Since March 2009, when terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, no top side has visited Pakistan due to security concerns.</p>

<p>But the source said that Mani had given the CSA detailed briefings on the improved situation in Pakistan and the strong security plan of the PCB for visiting teams.</p>

<p>Since September 2017, Pakistan has hosted the ICC World Eleven, Sri Lanka and West Indies for short T20 series in Lahore and Karachi and it also held the finals of the last two Pakistan Super League in Karachi.</p>

<p>The newly appointed managing director of the PCB, Wasim Khan, has made it clear his main task would be to see the return of full-fledged international cricket to Pakistan.</p>

<p>Wasim, who takes charge later this month, has said the PCB would be willing to allay the security concerns of visiting teams.</p>


Pakistan are hoping to host top teams like Australia and South Africa in the near future after what is being seen as a successful trip by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Ehsan Mani, to Johannesburg.

Pakistan are hoping to host top teams like Australia and South Africa in the near future after what is being seen as a successful trip by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Ehsan Mani, to Johannesburg. According to a reliable source in the board, Mani has held positive discussions with Cricket South Africa officials about them sending teams to Pakistan. "Cricket SA officials have told Mani they will look into sending the South African under-19, A, women's and senior teams to Pakistan over a period of time," the source said. He said the PCB is also optimistic that Cricket Australia might agree to play one or two ODIs in late March-April in Lahore and Karachi. "Things are looking bright after the positive response of CSA with regards to getting more international cricket matches in Pakistan," he added. Since March 2009, when terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, no top side has visited Pakistan due to security concerns. But the source said that Mani had given the CSA detailed briefings on the improved situation in Pakistan and the strong security plan of the PCB for visiting teams. Since September 2017, Pakistan has hosted the ICC World Eleven, Sri Lanka and West Indies for short T20 series in Lahore and Karachi and it also held the finals of the last two Pakistan Super League in Karachi. The newly appointed managing director of the PCB, Wasim Khan, has made it clear his main task would be to see the return of full-fledged international cricket to Pakistan. Wasim, who takes charge later this month, has said the PCB would be willing to allay the security concerns of visiting teams.

Pakistan hoping to host South Africa, Australia in near future

<p>The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced the direct qualifiers for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in Australia, based on the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings as on 31 December 2018.</p>

<p>As per the qualification criteria set for the tournament, ICC announced in a statement that Australia and the other nine top-ranked sides have ensured direct qualification.</p>

<p>The top eight make it straight to the Super 12s stage while the remaining two will play in the group stage along with six other teams who will make it through from the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier in 2019.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Four teams from the group stage will advance to the Super 12s.</p>

<p>Of the top 10 sides on the rankings table, top-ranked Pakistan, India, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, the West Indies and Afghanistan will start their campaign directly in the Super 12s.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Former champions and three-time finalists Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will have to contend with the other six qualifiers in the group stage of the tournament, which will be held from 18 October to 15 November 2020.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced the direct qualifiers for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in Australia, based on the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings as on 31 December 2018.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced the direct qualifiers for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in Australia, based on the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings as on 31 December 2018. As per the qualification criteria set for the tournament, ICC announced in a statement that Australia and the other nine top-ranked sides have ensured direct qualification. The top eight make it straight to the Super 12s stage while the remaining two will play in the group stage along with six other teams who will make it through from the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier in 2019. Four teams from the group stage will advance to the Super 12s. Of the top 10 sides on the rankings table, top-ranked Pakistan, India, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, the West Indies and Afghanistan will start their campaign directly in the Super 12s. Former champions and three-time finalists Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will have to contend with the other six qualifiers in the group stage of the tournament, which will be held from 18 October to 15 November 2020.

ICC announces direct qualifiers for Men's T20 World Cup 2020

In pics: This is how the New year celebration across the world looked like

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-blames-democrats-for-deaths-of-children-at-the-border-187260">Trump blames Democrats for deaths of children at the border</a></p>

<p>United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/polls-open-in-bangladesh-general-election-187274">Polls open in Bangladesh general election amid tight security</a></p>

<p>Voting for the general elections in Bangladesh, to elect the country's next prime minister, began&nbsp;at 8:00 am on Sunday.Over 10 crore Bangladeshis are expected to&nbsp;vote in the single-phase general election in the country's 11th national parliamentary election.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/police-teargas-yellow-vest-protesters-in-paris-187277">Police teargas 'yellow vest' protesters in Paris</a></p>

<p>Police fired tear gas at "yellow vest" demonstrators in Paris on Saturday but the turnout for round seven of the popular protests that have rocked France appeared low.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/tokyos-prosecutors-set-to-decide-on-carlos-ghosns-detention-187268">Tokyo's prosecutors set to decide on Carlos Ghosn's detention</a></p>

<p>Tokyo prosecutors are set to decide on the detention of former Nissan Motor Co Ltd Chairman Carlos Ghosn on Tuesday&nbsp;for financial misconduct. Ghosn was arrested for allegedly conspiring to understate his income by about half of the actual 10 billion yen ($88.66 million) over five years from 2010. His deputy, Greg Kelly, who was accused of assisting, was released from Tokyo Detention Centre on December 25.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/india-beat-australia-by-137-runs-to-win-melbourne-test-187279">India beat Australia by 137 runs to win Melbourne Test</a></p>

<p>India defeated Australia by 137 runs to win the third Test of a four-match series at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. With the win, India have taken an&nbsp;unassailable 2-1 lead in the series.&nbsp;</p>


Trump blames Democrats for deaths of children at the border United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US.

Trump blames Democrats for deaths of children at the border United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US. Polls open in Bangladesh general election amid tight security Voting for the general elections in Bangladesh, to elect the country's next prime minister, began at 8:00 am on Sunday.Over 10 crore Bangladeshis are expected to vote in the single-phase general election in the country's 11th national parliamentary election. Police teargas 'yellow vest' protesters in Paris Police fired tear gas at "yellow vest" demonstrators in Paris on Saturday but the turnout for round seven of the popular protests that have rocked France appeared low. Tokyo's prosecutors set to decide on Carlos Ghosn's detention Tokyo prosecutors are set to decide on the detention of former Nissan Motor Co Ltd Chairman Carlos Ghosn on Tuesday for financial misconduct. Ghosn was arrested for allegedly conspiring to understate his income by about half of the actual 10 billion yen ($88.66 million) over five years from 2010. His deputy, Greg Kelly, who was accused of assisting, was released from Tokyo Detention Centre on December 25. India beat Australia by 137 runs to win Melbourne Test India defeated Australia by 137 runs to win the third Test of a four-match series at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. With the win, India have taken an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>Australia on Sunday included leg-spinning all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne in the squad for the series-deciding fourth and final Test against India in Sydney, beginning Thursday.</p>

<p>India on Sunday defeated Australia by 137 runs at the third Test to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-Test series.</p>

<p>After winning the second Test, Australia had announced a 13-member squad for both the third and fourth Test but now they have added South African-born Labuschagne for the crucial Sydney match where the hosts need a win to level the series.</p>

<p>"We'll get up to Sydney and have a look at the conditions," skipper Tim Paine said as he confirmed Labuschagne's inclusion.</p>

<p>"From what we're hearing, it'll probably spin quite a bit so once we see that for ourselves, we'll start to think about the best combination for ourselves to win that Test."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Opener Aaron Finch and all-rounder Mitch Marsh are under pressure to retain their spot in the playing XI following the loss at the MCG and Australia will now have another option to go for.</p>

<p>Paine said there will be "a lot of things on the table" when selectors meet in Sydney.</p>

<p>"We think we've got the best group of players available to us at the moment and we'll pick the best combination from that group that we think will win the last Test," he said.</p>

<p>Labuschagne had made his Test debut against Pakistan in the UAE in October but was dropped for the India series as Peter Handscomb and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh came into the middle order.</p>

<p><strong>Australia squad:</strong> <em>Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Tim Paine (capt) Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Pat Cummins, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.&nbsp;</em></p>


Australia on Sunday included leg-spinning all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne in the squad for the series-deciding fourth and final Test against India in Sydney, beginning Thursday.

Australia on Sunday included leg-spinning all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne in the squad for the series-deciding fourth and final Test against India in Sydney, beginning Thursday. India on Sunday defeated Australia by 137 runs at the third Test to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-Test series. After winning the second Test, Australia had announced a 13-member squad for both the third and fourth Test but now they have added South African-born Labuschagne for the crucial Sydney match where the hosts need a win to level the series. "We'll get up to Sydney and have a look at the conditions," skipper Tim Paine said as he confirmed Labuschagne's inclusion. "From what we're hearing, it'll probably spin quite a bit so once we see that for ourselves, we'll start to think about the best combination for ourselves to win that Test." Opener Aaron Finch and all-rounder Mitch Marsh are under pressure to retain their spot in the playing XI following the loss at the MCG and Australia will now have another option to go for. Paine said there will be "a lot of things on the table" when selectors meet in Sydney. "We think we've got the best group of players available to us at the moment and we'll pick the best combination from that group that we think will win the last Test," he said. Labuschagne had made his Test debut against Pakistan in the UAE in October but was dropped for the India series as Peter Handscomb and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh came into the middle order. Australia squad: Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Tim Paine (capt) Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Pat Cummins, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.

Australia announces squad for 4th test against India

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/search?q=Cameron+Bancroft">Cameron Bancroft</a>'s ban for ball-tampering expired Saturday and he was immediately rushed into the Perth Scorchers squad for their Big Bash League clash with the Hobart Hurricanes.</p>

<p>The 26-year-old opener was suspended from international and state cricket for nine months after attempting to alter the ball in a Test against South Africa in March.</p>

<p>Then-Australian captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner were exiled for a year with their suspensions due to run out in late March.</p>

<p>"What a journey this has been over the last nine months," Bancroft wrote on Instagram.</p>

<p>"Grateful of where I am and the person I continue to grow to be. Thank you to every person, group, team and community I have come across over the last nine months. You know who you are."</p>

<p>Bancroft re-emerged into public life with an explosive television interview on Wednesday in which he confirmed Warner asked him to use sandpaper to rough up the ball.</p>

<p>He claimed he went along with it "to fit in" and because he "didn't know any better".</p>

<p>Smith also gave a recent interview, admitting he failed as a captain by turning a blind eye to what went on.</p>

<p>A number of high-profile former players have blasted them for dragging the issue back into the spotlight and detracting from the ongoing third Test against India in Melbourne.</p>

<p>Bancroft could make his comeback in Australia's Twenty20 domestic league on Sunday against the Hurricanes in Launceston after being included in the Scorchers' 13-man squad.</p>

<p>"It's great to have Cam back in the squad again. It's been a long year for him and now he can move forward and get back to playing cricket at a high level," said Perth coach Adam Voges.</p>

<p>"He's been pretty excited to be back so he'll bring energy and experience into our batting line up."</p>


Cameron Bancroft's ban for ball-tampering expired Saturday and he was immediately rushed into the Perth Scorchers squad for their Big Bash League clash with the Hobart Hurricanes.

Cameron Bancroft's ban for ball-tampering expired Saturday and he was immediately rushed into the Perth Scorchers squad for their Big Bash League clash with the Hobart Hurricanes. The 26-year-old opener was suspended from international and state cricket for nine months after attempting to alter the ball in a Test against South Africa in March. Then-Australian captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner were exiled for a year with their suspensions due to run out in late March. "What a journey this has been over the last nine months," Bancroft wrote on Instagram. "Grateful of where I am and the person I continue to grow to be. Thank you to every person, group, team and community I have come across over the last nine months. You know who you are." Bancroft re-emerged into public life with an explosive television interview on Wednesday in which he confirmed Warner asked him to use sandpaper to rough up the ball. He claimed he went along with it "to fit in" and because he "didn't know any better". Smith also gave a recent interview, admitting he failed as a captain by turning a blind eye to what went on. A number of high-profile former players have blasted them for dragging the issue back into the spotlight and detracting from the ongoing third Test against India in Melbourne. Bancroft could make his comeback in Australia's Twenty20 domestic league on Sunday against the Hurricanes in Launceston after being included in the Scorchers' 13-man squad. "It's great to have Cam back in the squad again. It's been a long year for him and now he can move forward and get back to playing cricket at a high level," said Perth coach Adam Voges. "He's been pretty excited to be back so he'll bring energy and experience into our batting line up."

Cameron Bancroft ban expires and back in Perth Scorchers squad

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