Former Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson on Tuesday took a dig at England opener Alastair Cook and paceman Stuart Broad, saying Australia&#39;s star spinner Nathan Lyon&#39;s wish to see the end of some England careers after another Ashes whitewash will come true if the tourists&#39; struggling senior players fail to lift quickly.

Johnson took 37 wickets in the 5-0 sweep of Alastair Cook`s England in 2013-14 which sparked the exits of several senior players and staff. &nbsp;

Following the loss, England spinner Graeme Swann retired after the third test of that ill-fated series, while batsmen Michael Carberry and Kevin Pietersen were never seen again in test whites.

&quot;Going to the next test I think England will have to think about changes. &quot;I`m not sure if (paceman) Stuart Broad is up to it at the moment. There will be some question marks around him, (as) a senior player, Johnson said.

&quot;Alastair Cook is someone who I think has been thinking about retirement. I just wonder now with the scoreline being 3-0 whether that will take a bit of pressure off him and he`ll just go out there and score runs. I`m not sure,&quot; he added.

The 36-year-old further said that &quot;the scars are there from the last series.&quot;

Cook managed only 83 runs in the current campaign. While Broad has only five wickets from the three matches. &nbsp;

Cook managed only 83 runs in the current campaign while Broad has only five wickets from the three matches ?

Former Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson on Tuesday took a dig at England opener Alastair Cook and paceman Stuart Broad, saying Australia's star spinner Nathan Lyon's wish to see the end of some England careers after another Ashes whitewash will come true if the tourists' struggling senior players fail to lift quickly. Johnson took 37 wickets in the 5-0 sweep of Alastair Cook`s England in 2013-14 which sparked the exits of several senior players and staff. Following the loss, England spinner Graeme Swann retired after the third test of that ill-fated series, while batsmen Michael Carberry and Kevin Pietersen were never seen again in test whites. "Going to the next test I think England will have to think about changes. "I`m not sure if (paceman) Stuart Broad is up to it at the moment. There will be some question marks around him, (as) a senior player, Johnson said. "Alastair Cook is someone who I think has been thinking about retirement. I just wonder now with the scoreline being 3-0 whether that will take a bit of pressure off him and he`ll just go out there and score runs. I`m not sure," he added. The 36-year-old further said that "the scars are there from the last series." Cook managed only 83 runs in the current campaign. While Broad has only five wickets from the three matches.

Mitchell Johnson takes dig at Alastair Cook, Stuart Broad after Australia reclaims Ashes urn

Is the royal marriage story we&rsquo;re being sold really a fairy tale come true? Or is it a story spun by Buckingham Palace for its own self-interest, one shrouded in myth and make-believe?

In the coverage of next spring&rsquo;s marriage between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, two main narratives have emerged.

One is Markle&rsquo;s mixed-race, American background and how her &ldquo;acceptance&rdquo; to the royal family signals a monarchy willing to loosen its rigid rules.

The other is an improbable love story: A girl from South-Central Los Angeles is plucked from the streets by her dashing Prince Charming (&ldquo;How Meghan went from a seedy Los Angeles tenement to a Palace,&rdquo; as one Daily Mail story put it).

While both have elements of truth, they also ignore the royal family&rsquo;s complicated history with race and &ldquo;blood&rdquo; and its insistence on continuing outdated traditions. As a sociologist who researches questions of race, power and ideology, I believe we are missing the real significance of this marriage.

Out with the old? Not really

The &ldquo;modern royal family&rdquo; narrative overlooks the fact that the monarchy continues to embody a fundamentally traditional idea of British identity, a patriarchal institution steeped in nostalgia for the days of the empire.

In their carefully choreographed first joint interview with the BBC, Markle &ndash; a self-described feminist &ndash; confirmed that she was giving up her acting career in order to take up her new &ldquo;role&rdquo; as the wife of Prince Harry.

Meanwhile, the British establishment&rsquo;s long history of anti-Catholicism &ndash; deeply entrenched in its customs, laws and rituals &ndash; was on full view. Buckingham Palace was quick to announce that Markle would be baptised into the Church of England before the couple is married, presumably to assuage any lingering concerns that she might actually be Catholic. (As a teenager, she had attended the private Catholic Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles.)

Finally, despite some media reports, Meghan isn&rsquo;t actually about to become a princess. Because she doesn&rsquo;t come from &ldquo;royal blood,&rdquo; the arcane rules and protocols of the British aristocratic system mean she will likely be given the title &ldquo;Her Royal Highness,&rdquo; rather than &ldquo;Princess Meghan.&rdquo;

Bloody nonsense

The idea of a distinct blood category for the upper classes is, of course, absurd.

&ldquo;Bluebloods,&rdquo; we should remember, is a racialised metaphor. Skin so pale you could see the blue blood beneath &ndash; sangre azul, as the Spanish put it &ndash; signaled a distance from blackness and poverty. As the historian Kate Williams notes, it was used to differentiate &ldquo;the royals from both the tanned peasants working in the fields and the people of colour who were increasingly part of European society.&rdquo;

In 2016, when news first broke of Prince Harry&rsquo;s relationship with Markle, some coverage and commentary were driven by a racial paranoia that the supposed sanctity of the royal blood lineage was being broken (&ldquo;Harry to marry into gangster royalty?&rdquo; a Daily Star headline read). Others pointed to the danger posed not just to Harry&rsquo;s safety in dating a woman from South-Central Los Angeles, a place &ldquo;plagued by crime and riddled with street gangs,&rdquo; but to the integrity of the royal family writ large. Historically, the idea of &ldquo;Britishness&rdquo; has carried unspoken racial connotations; as cultural historian Stuart Hall noted, &ldquo;in common understanding, the nation is usually imagined as white.&rdquo; In this context, the royal family represents the national family, imagined and implicitly understood as white.

Prince Harry, to his credit, issued a rare public rebuke to the media, denouncing the &ldquo;racial undertones of comment pieces.&rdquo;

It appears, then, that this is an important moment in the slow and uneven &ndash; but nonetheless real &ndash; shift in Britain toward acknowledging the evolution of a multiracial society. But the significance of one so-called &ldquo;interracial&rdquo; marriage also shouldn&rsquo;t be overstated.

European royal families have been breeding across ethnic and national lines for centuries. The ever-so-English sounding &ldquo;House of Windsor&rdquo; is, in fact, a name made up by King George V. The real name of the Windsors was, up until then, the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. But in order to make it easier for the royal family to encourage the British working classes to take up arms against the Germans in 1917, they wanted to gloss over the uncomfortable fact that the family&rsquo;s background was more German than British.

Even &ldquo;black blood&rdquo; among the &ldquo;blue bloods&rdquo; isn&rsquo;t new. Some historians have suggested that Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, likely had black African ancestry. Similarly, David Williamson, co-editor of the British etiquette periodical Debrett&rsquo;s Peerage, has argued that &ldquo;all European royal families somewhere are linked to the kings of Castile. There is a lot of Moorish blood in the Portuguese royal family and it has diffused over the rest of Europe.&rdquo;

A shot in the (pale) arm?

For decades, royalists have worried about the monarchy&rsquo;s future once Queen Elizabeth II finally goes. There&rsquo;s the absurdity of believing in kings and queens ordained by God, of course. But Prince Charles, the next in line, isn&rsquo;t widely liked.

This marriage could be an unexpected lifeline. Just as The House of Windsor (n&eacute;e Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) reinvented itself 100 years ago in order to maintain its authority, a familiar chain of events could be playing out.

Ironically, it is the Windsors who stand to gain the most from this relationship by maintaining their popular standing and public reputation &ndash; and, therefore, their legitimacy &ndash; by adding a touch of beautiful, light-skinned &ldquo;diversity&rdquo; into the lily-white family tree.

&ldquo;Genetically, [Markle] is blessed,&rdquo; enthused journalist Rachel Johnson (a sister of prominent MP Boris Johnson), using eugenics-style colonial reasoning to approve of the relationship.

&ldquo;The Windsors,&rdquo; she added, &ldquo;will thicken their watery, thin blue blood and Spencer pale skin and ginger hair with some rich and exotic DNA.&rdquo;

Unlike most royal marriages, which tend to be politically arranged affairs driven largely by the dynastic requirements of Europe&rsquo;s aristocratic families, Harry and Meghan do appear to be genuinely in love with each other. Outside of royal circles, so-called &ldquo;mixed-race&rdquo; relationships are no longer exceptional, but actually represent an increasing number of family units in modern Britain.

By adapting to Britain&rsquo;s changing social and cultural landscape, the royal family is desperately trying to broaden its popular appeal. Contrary to the British press&rsquo;s narrative, we might say that Harry&rsquo;s the one &ldquo;marrying up&rdquo; &ndash; not the black actress from LA.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-the-british-monarchy-actually-adapting-to-changing-social-norms-88285" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Much of the Harry and Meghan coverage has ignored the royal family's complicated history with race and "blood" and its insistence on continuing outdated traditions.

Is the royal marriage story we’re being sold really a fairy tale come true? Or is it a story spun by Buckingham Palace for its own self-interest, one shrouded in myth and make-believe? In the coverage of next spring’s marriage between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, two main narratives have emerged. One is Markle’s mixed-race, American background and how her “acceptance” to the royal family signals a monarchy willing to loosen its rigid rules. The other is an improbable love story: A girl from South-Central Los Angeles is plucked from the streets by her dashing Prince Charming (“How Meghan went from a seedy Los Angeles tenement to a Palace,” as one Daily Mail story put it). While both have elements of truth, they also ignore the royal family’s complicated history with race and “blood” and its insistence on continuing outdated traditions. As a sociologist who researches questions of race, power and ideology, I believe we are missing the real significance of this marriage. Out with the old? Not really The “modern royal family” narrative overlooks the fact that the monarchy continues to embody a fundamentally traditional idea of British identity, a patriarchal institution steeped in nostalgia for the days of the empire. In their carefully choreographed first joint interview with the BBC, Markle – a self-described feminist – confirmed that she was giving up her acting career in order to take up her new “role” as the wife of Prince Harry. Meanwhile, the British establishment’s long history of anti-Catholicism – deeply entrenched in its customs, laws and rituals – was on full view. Buckingham Palace was quick to announce that Markle would be baptised into the Church of England before the couple is married, presumably to assuage any lingering concerns that she might actually be Catholic. (As a teenager, she had attended the private Catholic Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles.) Finally, despite some media reports, Meghan isn’t actually about to become a princess. Because she doesn’t come from “royal blood,” the arcane rules and protocols of the British aristocratic system mean she will likely be given the title “Her Royal Highness,” rather than “Princess Meghan.” Bloody nonsense The idea of a distinct blood category for the upper classes is, of course, absurd. “Bluebloods,” we should remember, is a racialised metaphor. Skin so pale you could see the blue blood beneath – sangre azul, as the Spanish put it – signaled a distance from blackness and poverty. As the historian Kate Williams notes, it was used to differentiate “the royals from both the tanned peasants working in the fields and the people of colour who were increasingly part of European society.” In 2016, when news first broke of Prince Harry’s relationship with Markle, some coverage and commentary were driven by a racial paranoia that the supposed sanctity of the royal blood lineage was being broken (“Harry to marry into gangster royalty?” a Daily Star headline read). Others pointed to the danger posed not just to Harry’s safety in dating a woman from South-Central Los Angeles, a place “plagued by crime and riddled with street gangs,” but to the integrity of the royal family writ large. Historically, the idea of “Britishness” has carried unspoken racial connotations; as cultural historian Stuart Hall noted, “in common understanding, the nation is usually imagined as white.” In this context, the royal family represents the national family, imagined and implicitly understood as white. Prince Harry, to his credit, issued a rare public rebuke to the media, denouncing the “racial undertones of comment pieces.” It appears, then, that this is an important moment in the slow and uneven – but nonetheless real – shift in Britain toward acknowledging the evolution of a multiracial society. But the significance of one so-called “interracial” marriage also shouldn’t be overstated. European royal families have been breeding across ethnic and national lines for centuries. The ever-so-English sounding “House of Windsor” is, in fact, a name made up by King George V. The real name of the Windsors was, up until then, the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. But in order to make it easier for the royal family to encourage the British working classes to take up arms against the Germans in 1917, they wanted to gloss over the uncomfortable fact that the family’s background was more German than British. Even “black blood” among the “blue bloods” isn’t new. Some historians have suggested that Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, likely had black African ancestry. Similarly, David Williamson, co-editor of the British etiquette periodical Debrett’s Peerage, has argued that “all European royal families somewhere are linked to the kings of Castile. There is a lot of Moorish blood in the Portuguese royal family and it has diffused over the rest of Europe.” A shot in the (pale) arm? For decades, royalists have worried about the monarchy’s future once Queen Elizabeth II finally goes. There’s the absurdity of believing in kings and queens ordained by God, of course. But Prince Charles, the next in line, isn’t widely liked. This marriage could be an unexpected lifeline. Just as The House of Windsor (née Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) reinvented itself 100 years ago in order to maintain its authority, a familiar chain of events could be playing out. Ironically, it is the Windsors who stand to gain the most from this relationship by maintaining their popular standing and public reputation – and, therefore, their legitimacy – by adding a touch of beautiful, light-skinned “diversity” into the lily-white family tree. “Genetically, [Markle] is blessed,” enthused journalist Rachel Johnson (a sister of prominent MP Boris Johnson), using eugenics-style colonial reasoning to approve of the relationship. “The Windsors,” she added, “will thicken their watery, thin blue blood and Spencer pale skin and ginger hair with some rich and exotic DNA.” Unlike most royal marriages, which tend to be politically arranged affairs driven largely by the dynastic requirements of Europe’s aristocratic families, Harry and Meghan do appear to be genuinely in love with each other. Outside of royal circles, so-called “mixed-race” relationships are no longer exceptional, but actually represent an increasing number of family units in modern Britain. By adapting to Britain’s changing social and cultural landscape, the royal family is desperately trying to broaden its popular appeal. Contrary to the British press’s narrative, we might say that Harry’s the one “marrying up” – not the black actress from LA. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: Is the British monarchy actually adapting to changing social norms?

Australia regained its Ashes urn after defeating England in the third Test match in Perth on Monday.&nbsp;

Skipper Steve Smith&#39;s team won the match by an innings and 41 runs on day five of the third test match to take an unassailable 3-0 lead. Two Tests are still to be played.

The poms reluctantly resumed at 132/4, clinging to hope that wet weather could keep the five test series alive.&nbsp;

England had scored 403, with centuries from Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow. Australia replied strongly with a double century from Smith and a century from Mithcell Marsh and scored a mammoth 662 for 9. The team was later declared.

England had to score 259 to make Australia bat again. But Australian bowlers led by Josh Hazlewood, (5 for 48) scuttled England&#39;s chances by bundling them out for 218.&nbsp;

England lost the first Test by 10 wickets and second by 120 runs.&nbsp;

Australian bowlers led by Josh Hazlewood scuttled England's chances by bundling them out for 218.?

Australia regained its Ashes urn after defeating England in the third Test match in Perth on Monday. Skipper Steve Smith's team won the match by an innings and 41 runs on day five of the third test match to take an unassailable 3-0 lead. Two Tests are still to be played. The poms reluctantly resumed at 132/4, clinging to hope that wet weather could keep the five test series alive. England had scored 403, with centuries from Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow. Australia replied strongly with a double century from Smith and a century from Mithcell Marsh and scored a mammoth 662 for 9. The team was later declared. England had to score 259 to make Australia bat again. But Australian bowlers led by Josh Hazlewood, (5 for 48) scuttled England's chances by bundling them out for 218. England lost the first Test by 10 wickets and second by 120 runs.

3rd Test Day 5: Australia beat England by an innings and 41 runs, regain Ashes

England was battling to save the Ashes at 132 for four in their second innings when play was abandoned due to rain on the fourth day of the third Test in Perth on Sunday.

Needing to avoid defeat to stay alive in the series, the tourists still trailed by 127 runs after Australia declared their first innings at 662 for nine in reply to England`s 403.

It is Australia&#39;s highest ever Ashes total at home, with captain Steve Smith finally dismissed for 239 from 399 balls.

Dawid Malan was on 28 and Jonny Bairstow on 14, with Josh Hazlewood claiming two wickets.

England&#39;s top-order once again crumbled under sustained pressure from an Australian blue chip attack honing in on a widening crack down the pitch.

At 2-0 down in the series, England must not lose at a ground where they have not won since 1978 to avoid surrendering the urn at the earliest.

Australia declared their first innings at 662 for nine in reply to England`s 403.

England was battling to save the Ashes at 132 for four in their second innings when play was abandoned due to rain on the fourth day of the third Test in Perth on Sunday. Needing to avoid defeat to stay alive in the series, the tourists still trailed by 127 runs after Australia declared their first innings at 662 for nine in reply to England`s 403. It is Australia's highest ever Ashes total at home, with captain Steve Smith finally dismissed for 239 from 399 balls. Dawid Malan was on 28 and Jonny Bairstow on 14, with Josh Hazlewood claiming two wickets. England's top-order once again crumbled under sustained pressure from an Australian blue chip attack honing in on a widening crack down the pitch. At 2-0 down in the series, England must not lose at a ground where they have not won since 1978 to avoid surrendering the urn at the earliest.

Australia inch closer to Ashes victory as England end 4th day at 132/4 after heavy downpour

England&#39;s tail collapsed dramatically with the tourists losing their last six wickets for mere 35 runs on the second day of the third Ashes cricket Test.

It was the record fifth-wicket partnership by centurions Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow that gave England the ascendancy after the entire team was bowled out for 403.

With the tourists 2-0 down in the five-match series, it was Malan and Bairstow&#39;s partnership that help sail England after the two put on a dazzling display at the WACA Ground on Friday.

Having come together with England under pressure at 131 for four shortly after lunch Thursday, the pair breathed life back into their team&#39;s Ashes defence.

Malan&#39;s wicket was the first to fall, with his breakthrough innings finally coming to an end when he was brilliantly caught by substitute fielder Peter Handscomb. &nbsp;

His departure for 140 had England at 368 for five, and signalled a sudden collapse for the tourists, with Moeen Ali lasting just two balls for his duck and Chris Woakes making just eight runs.

Bairstow was then bowled by Mitchell Starc for 119 as the capitulation accelerated.

For Australia, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have opened and the current score stands at 34 runs with no loss after 10 over. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Tourists lost their last six wickets for 35 runs on the 2nd day of third Ashes cricket Test

England's tail collapsed dramatically with the tourists losing their last six wickets for mere 35 runs on the second day of the third Ashes cricket Test. It was the record fifth-wicket partnership by centurions Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow that gave England the ascendancy after the entire team was bowled out for 403. With the tourists 2-0 down in the five-match series, it was Malan and Bairstow's partnership that help sail England after the two put on a dazzling display at the WACA Ground on Friday. Having come together with England under pressure at 131 for four shortly after lunch Thursday, the pair breathed life back into their team's Ashes defence. Malan's wicket was the first to fall, with his breakthrough innings finally coming to an end when he was brilliantly caught by substitute fielder Peter Handscomb. His departure for 140 had England at 368 for five, and signalled a sudden collapse for the tourists, with Moeen Ali lasting just two balls for his duck and Chris Woakes making just eight runs. Bairstow was then bowled by Mitchell Starc for 119 as the capitulation accelerated. For Australia, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have opened and the current score stands at 34 runs with no loss after 10 over.

3rd Test, Day 2: Malan, Bairstow slam centuries, England 403 all out

Australian skipper Steve Smith on Wednesday said they might bring in all-rounder Mitchell Marsh for the third Ashes test against England, adding the team will not be named until the toss on Thursday morning.

The hosts, 2-0 up in the five-match series, could reclaim the coveted urn in Perth.&nbsp;

Smith said that Marsh would be included, probably for Peter Handscomb, if the WACA track was not quick enough.

&quot;We`re going to have another look at the wicket in the morning and decide if we need that extra bowling option. The stats suggest over the last couple of years the bowlers have had a pretty heavy workload on this wicket, so we&#39;re probably leaning that way at the moment.&quot; Smith told a news conference.

26-year-old Marsh underwent a shoulder surgery earlier this year, returned for Western Australia in October and smashed a total of 680 runs in all forms of cricket at an average of nearly 68.

Meanwhile, Smith hoped that the wicket would be different from the drawn 2015 test against New Zealand when 1,672 runs were scored over five days.

Marsh would be included, probably for Peter Handscomb, if the WACA track was not quick enough.

Australian skipper Steve Smith on Wednesday said they might bring in all-rounder Mitchell Marsh for the third Ashes test against England, adding the team will not be named until the toss on Thursday morning. The hosts, 2-0 up in the five-match series, could reclaim the coveted urn in Perth. Smith said that Marsh would be included, probably for Peter Handscomb, if the WACA track was not quick enough. "We`re going to have another look at the wicket in the morning and decide if we need that extra bowling option. The stats suggest over the last couple of years the bowlers have had a pretty heavy workload on this wicket, so we're probably leaning that way at the moment." Smith told a news conference. 26-year-old Marsh underwent a shoulder surgery earlier this year, returned for Western Australia in October and smashed a total of 680 runs in all forms of cricket at an average of nearly 68. Meanwhile, Smith hoped that the wicket would be different from the drawn 2015 test against New Zealand when 1,672 runs were scored over five days.

Ashes 2017: Australia's Mitchell Marsh may replace Peter Handscomb in 3rd test against England

Australian captain Steve Smith thinks England will struggle to get back into the Ashes series after losing in Adelaide to trail 2-0 heading into next week&#39;s third test in Perth.

Smith admitted to some nerves when the tourists mounted a comeback after he decided not to enforce the follow-on in the second test but said it would now be a long road back for England in the five-match series after a 120-run defeat.&nbsp;

&quot;It`s always tough coming back from 2-0 down, particularly when you`re away from home,&quot; Smith said.

&quot;You`re really only one or two bad sessions away from the series, really. That can really play on people`s minds when you`re behind.&nbsp;

&quot;We have to be confident, we have to continue what we`re doing, doing the basics really well, getting big first innings runs is crucial as we`ve seen, and just backing up day in and day out.&quot;

Four reasons for Australian confidence were occupying row 13 of flight QF 740 from Adelaide to Sydney on Thursday with quicks Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins on one side of the aisle and off-spinner Nathan &quot;Gazza&quot; Lyon on the other.

Although suggestions that the bowling attack is the best to have ever donned baggy green caps are probably wide of the mark, they have done their job by dismissing England twice in both the first two tests. 
 
&quot;I think the exciting thing is our bowling group can only get better,&quot; Starc told reporters on arrival at Sydney airport.

&quot;Obviously we`ve taken 40 wickets over the last couple of weeks and done some really good things but there`s still room for improvement.&quot;

Starc took 5-88 after mopping up the England tail with the new pink ball on Wednesday, while Hazlewood snuffed out hopes of an England win with two wickets, including that of captain Joe root, in the first three overs of the day.

Cummins crucially pegged the English back with the wicket of Dawid Malan on Wednesday night, while Lyon is the leading wicket-taker in tests this year and his captain described his bowling in Adelaide as &quot;exceptional&quot;.

&quot;Paddy, Josh and I have grown up together -- Gazza`s a bit older -- we`ve been around each other for a long time and we`re really close mates,&quot; Starc added.&nbsp;

&quot;I think that shows in the way we play our cricket and we`re gelling really nicely and complementing each other really well.

&quot;Gazza`s bowling the house down at the moment and that allows the other three of us to just do what we do at the other end. Josh does what he does and allows Pat and I to bowl as fast as we want.&quot; 
Smith said he was keen for his bowlers and batsmen to get some rest before the Perth test starts next Thursday.

&quot;There`s a reasonable break between now and Perth so the bowlers can freshen up and the batters can freshen their minds, and we can come back and hopefully win the Ashes back in Perth,&quot; he added.

The test will be the last at the WACA and Starc said he was hoping to be presented with a bowling surface that harked back to the days when the likes of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson terrorised English batsmen in Perth.

&quot;Hopefully we see a nice fast, bouncy wicket, the WACA of old, and get stuck into that as a bowling group,&quot; he said.

'It's always tough coming back from 2-0 down, particularly when you're away from home,' said Smith.

Australian captain Steve Smith thinks England will struggle to get back into the Ashes series after losing in Adelaide to trail 2-0 heading into next week's third test in Perth. Smith admitted to some nerves when the tourists mounted a comeback after he decided not to enforce the follow-on in the second test but said it would now be a long road back for England in the five-match series after a 120-run defeat. "It`s always tough coming back from 2-0 down, particularly when you`re away from home," Smith said. "You`re really only one or two bad sessions away from the series, really. That can really play on people`s minds when you`re behind. "We have to be confident, we have to continue what we`re doing, doing the basics really well, getting big first innings runs is crucial as we`ve seen, and just backing up day in and day out." Four reasons for Australian confidence were occupying row 13 of flight QF 740 from Adelaide to Sydney on Thursday with quicks Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins on one side of the aisle and off-spinner Nathan "Gazza" Lyon on the other. Although suggestions that the bowling attack is the best to have ever donned baggy green caps are probably wide of the mark, they have done their job by dismissing England twice in both the first two tests. "I think the exciting thing is our bowling group can only get better," Starc told reporters on arrival at Sydney airport. "Obviously we`ve taken 40 wickets over the last couple of weeks and done some really good things but there`s still room for improvement." Starc took 5-88 after mopping up the England tail with the new pink ball on Wednesday, while Hazlewood snuffed out hopes of an England win with two wickets, including that of captain Joe root, in the first three overs of the day. Cummins crucially pegged the English back with the wicket of Dawid Malan on Wednesday night, while Lyon is the leading wicket-taker in tests this year and his captain described his bowling in Adelaide as "exceptional". "Paddy, Josh and I have grown up together -- Gazza`s a bit older -- we`ve been around each other for a long time and we`re really close mates," Starc added. "I think that shows in the way we play our cricket and we`re gelling really nicely and complementing each other really well. "Gazza`s bowling the house down at the moment and that allows the other three of us to just do what we do at the other end. Josh does what he does and allows Pat and I to bowl as fast as we want." Smith said he was keen for his bowlers and batsmen to get some rest before the Perth test starts next Thursday. "There`s a reasonable break between now and Perth so the bowlers can freshen up and the batters can freshen their minds, and we can come back and hopefully win the Ashes back in Perth," he added. The test will be the last at the WACA and Starc said he was hoping to be presented with a bowling surface that harked back to the days when the likes of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson terrorised English batsmen in Perth. "Hopefully we see a nice fast, bouncy wicket, the WACA of old, and get stuck into that as a bowling group," he said.

England will struggle to get back into Ashes series, says Steve Smith

In a shocking video released by Britain&#39;s West Midlands Police, two men are seen stealing a Mercedes. The CCTV footage of the theft was released on West Midlands Police&#39;s official YouTube Channel on November 26 while the theft took place a couple of months back.

The suspects are seen using relay boxes that are capable of getting signals through doors, walls and windows, barring metal. The men were able to receive signals from the car&#39;s key inside the house and tricked the car&#39;s system into believing that it actually got the command from the key.&nbsp;

The incident is been reported as the first &quot;relay crime&quot; to be caught on camera. The suspects were able to drive away the Mercedes without really needing the key or breaking the lock in under a minute.&nbsp;The Mercedes has still not been recovered.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8pffcngJJq0?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>

 
The video shows one man standing near car&#39;s rear door and the other one stationed right outside what looks like the garage door. Both men are seen carrying relay boxes with them to get the signal from the car key located inside the victim&#39;s house. 
 
In a jiffy, they manage to unlock the car and drive off. 
&nbsp;

The incident is been reported as the first "relay crime" to be caught on camera.

In a shocking video released by Britain's West Midlands Police, two men are seen stealing a Mercedes. The CCTV footage of the theft was released on West Midlands Police's official YouTube Channel on November 26 while the theft took place a couple of months back. The suspects are seen using relay boxes that are capable of getting signals through doors, walls and windows, barring metal. The men were able to receive signals from the car's key inside the house and tricked the car's system into believing that it actually got the command from the key. The incident is been reported as the first "relay crime" to be caught on camera. The suspects were able to drive away the Mercedes without really needing the key or breaking the lock in under a minute. The Mercedes has still not been recovered. The video shows one man standing near car's rear door and the other one stationed right outside what looks like the garage door. Both men are seen carrying relay boxes with them to get the signal from the car key located inside the victim's house. In a jiffy, they manage to unlock the car and drive off.

Watch: Two men steal Mercedes in under a minute without car key

Australia cruised to a crushing 10-wicket win over England to go one-up in the Ashes series in the opening Test at the Gabba on Monday, with captain Steve Smith praising his team&#39;s character.

Openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft added to England&#39;s agony by peeling off the required runs without the loss of a wicket before lunch on the final day.

Warner finished unbeaten on 87 off 119 balls with newcomer Bancroft hitting the winning runs to remain 82 not out off 182 balls in Australia&#39;s 173 without loss.

In the process, they broke an 87-year-old Test record for the all-time highest unbeaten opening partnership in a successful Test chase.

&quot;We had to show some really good character throughout. Obviously losing the toss, and the wicket was a lot slower than we anticipated it would be. We had to work really hard,&quot; said Australian captain Steve Smith.

&quot;I&#39;m pleased with the way we have played. Bowling first at The Gabba, it&#39;s hard. The bowlers had to be on. The way we pulled it back to win the position we were in it&#39;s extremely pleasing. I&#39;m proud of the way the boys fought.&quot;

The Australians only needed 56 runs on the final morning go one up after England imploded on Sunday&#39;s fourth day.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/cricket-australia-on-brink-of-victory-after-england-crumble-25171" target="_blank">Also read: Australia on brink of victory after England crumble</a>

England captain Joe Root said the result did not tell the full story.

&quot;For three days we were excellent. Bar Steve&#39;s knock we were right in it,&quot; he said, referring to Smith&#39;s battling first innings century.

&quot;It&#39;s frustrating. We have to move on quickly and make sure we don&#39;t make the same mistakes in Adelaide.&quot;

It was Warner&#39;s 25th Test fifty and ninth in the Ashes, while debutant Bancroft posted his first half-century in only his second Test innings.

&quot;It was good fun, to share a good partnership was nice. To get the win, in the end, was good,&quot; said Bancroft, who was allegedly headbutted by England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow in a late-night altercation in Perth earlier in the tour.

An England and Wales Cricket Board statement confirmed team management have asked Bairstow about the alleged incident. Warner said it was great to get the win without losing a wicket.

&quot;That&#39;s what we cherish, coming out being disciplined to try and get the job done as best as possible,&quot; he said.

England&#39;s doleful defeat was played to the background sounds of the traveling Barmy Army supporters singing &#39;We&#39;ll Take the (Ashes) Urn Home&#39; in the sparsely-populated Gabba ground.

It was an attritional battle between the traditional rivals over the first three days of the Test, raising England&#39;s hopes of a first win at the ground in just over three decades.

But skipper Smith&#39;s match-defining unbeaten 141 over eight-and-a-half hours to give Australia a 26-run innings lead and Josh Hazlewood&#39;s two late wickets on Saturday swung the momentum firmly Australia&#39;s way.

England were knocked over for 195 off 71.4 overs, losing their last six wickets for 82, to set Australia an unthreatening target to chase down in the remaining four sessions of play.

Australia stretched their unbeaten record at their Gabba fortress to 29 years since their last defeat to Viv Richards&#39; West Indies team in 1988.

England have not won in Brisbane in 31 years, a stretch of eight Ashes Tests.

The five-Test series heads to Adelaide Oval for the first-ever Ashes day-night Test, starting on Saturday.

'I'm pleased with the way we have played. Bowling first at The Gabba, it's hard,' Australian captain Steve Smith said

Australia cruised to a crushing 10-wicket win over England to go one-up in the Ashes series in the opening Test at the Gabba on Monday, with captain Steve Smith praising his team's character. Openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft added to England's agony by peeling off the required runs without the loss of a wicket before lunch on the final day. Warner finished unbeaten on 87 off 119 balls with newcomer Bancroft hitting the winning runs to remain 82 not out off 182 balls in Australia's 173 without loss. In the process, they broke an 87-year-old Test record for the all-time highest unbeaten opening partnership in a successful Test chase. "We had to show some really good character throughout. Obviously losing the toss, and the wicket was a lot slower than we anticipated it would be. We had to work really hard," said Australian captain Steve Smith. "I'm pleased with the way we have played. Bowling first at The Gabba, it's hard. The bowlers had to be on. The way we pulled it back to win the position we were in it's extremely pleasing. I'm proud of the way the boys fought." The Australians only needed 56 runs on the final morning go one up after England imploded on Sunday's fourth day. Also read: Australia on brink of victory after England crumble England captain Joe Root said the result did not tell the full story. "For three days we were excellent. Bar Steve's knock we were right in it," he said, referring to Smith's battling first innings century. "It's frustrating. We have to move on quickly and make sure we don't make the same mistakes in Adelaide." It was Warner's 25th Test fifty and ninth in the Ashes, while debutant Bancroft posted his first half-century in only his second Test innings. "It was good fun, to share a good partnership was nice. To get the win, in the end, was good," said Bancroft, who was allegedly headbutted by England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow in a late-night altercation in Perth earlier in the tour. An England and Wales Cricket Board statement confirmed team management have asked Bairstow about the alleged incident. Warner said it was great to get the win without losing a wicket. "That's what we cherish, coming out being disciplined to try and get the job done as best as possible," he said. England's doleful defeat was played to the background sounds of the traveling Barmy Army supporters singing 'We'll Take the (Ashes) Urn Home' in the sparsely-populated Gabba ground. It was an attritional battle between the traditional rivals over the first three days of the Test, raising England's hopes of a first win at the ground in just over three decades. But skipper Smith's match-defining unbeaten 141 over eight-and-a-half hours to give Australia a 26-run innings lead and Josh Hazlewood's two late wickets on Saturday swung the momentum firmly Australia's way. England were knocked over for 195 off 71.4 overs, losing their last six wickets for 82, to set Australia an unthreatening target to chase down in the remaining four sessions of play. Australia stretched their unbeaten record at their Gabba fortress to 29 years since their last defeat to Viv Richards' West Indies team in 1988. England have not won in Brisbane in 31 years, a stretch of eight Ashes Tests. The five-Test series heads to Adelaide Oval for the first-ever Ashes day-night Test, starting on Saturday.

Ashes: Australia crush England by 10 wickets in 1st Test

A pulsating Ashes opener that had promised a grandstand finish will more than likely end early with a handsome win to Australia after Steve Smith&#39;s side pushed within 56 runs of victory at the close of day four on Sunday.

The teams will return to the Gabba on Monday to go through the motions, and Australia&#39;s openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will look to mop up the winning runs after protecting their wickets with aplomb after tea.

Australia were 114 without loss at stumps, with Bancroft (51 not out) having celebrated his maiden half-century in his test debut after vice-captain Warner (60) raised his 25th as shadows crept across the ground.

The match was decided earlier, however, when England&#39;s middle order suffered a ruinous collapse after lunch for the second time in succession.

The loss of captain Joe Root for 51 some 10 minutes before the first break was a blow but there was still hope as Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow drove England to 155 for five.

From there it all went sour, as England crashed out for 195, a collapse triggered by a third umpire decision that may be debated for years to come.

Having breezed to 40, Moeen was beaten by spinner Nathan Lyon and wicketkeeper Tim Paine whipped the bails off in a flash with the all-rounder&#39;s foot planted squarely on the line.

Long, tortuous deliberations followed, as New Zealander Chris Gaffaney pondered various angles of replay footage.

None confirmed that any part of Moeen&#39;s foot was behind the line, so Gaffaney duly sent the batsman packing.

It was Lyon&#39;s third wicket of a brilliant test for the offspinner and England&#39;s breaking point after three-and-a-half days of mostly valiant cricket.

They lost 4-40 and their last three wickets for 10 runs as paceman Mitchell Starc awoke to trample all over England&#39;s wafer-thin hopes.

All-rounder Chris Woakes added 30 runs with Bairstow but his uneasy 57-ball innings felt on borrowed time.

He was dropped at short leg off Lyon when yet to score but caught easily in the slips by Smith for 17 after worked over by a short ball from Starc.

Left to dig in and carry the tail, Bairstow instead threw away his wicket for 42 with a ramp shot over the slips that went straight to the third man.

Stuart Broad was Starc&#39;s third victim four balls later when he feathered a nick behind and England&#39;s capitulation was complete when a harried Jake Ball was out for one, fending away Pat Cummins to fly slip.

Smith&#39;s epic, unbeaten 141 on day three will take on an even greater significance when his team finishes the job, given the scant contributions of England&#39;s batsmen in their second innings.

Root made the only half-century for his team, but it will be marked down as a footnote in a match and an emphatic first-up defeat in his ongoing duel with Smith.

It was back to the old stagers James Anderson and Broad to try to pull off a miracle.

But they washed harmlessly against the wall of Warner and Bancroft, who began opening their shoulders after a mostly watchful first hour.

In the morning, it was Lyon who turned the screws with two wickets before Josh Hazlewood claimed the prized scalp of Root.

After England resumed the day on 33 for two, Lyon had opener Mark Stoneman caught for 27 by Smith at slip.

The spinner and captain combined again when Dawid Malan nicked behind to fall for four.

Australia need 56 runs to win on Day 5 of the first Test

A pulsating Ashes opener that had promised a grandstand finish will more than likely end early with a handsome win to Australia after Steve Smith's side pushed within 56 runs of victory at the close of day four on Sunday. The teams will return to the Gabba on Monday to go through the motions, and Australia's openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will look to mop up the winning runs after protecting their wickets with aplomb after tea. Australia were 114 without loss at stumps, with Bancroft (51 not out) having celebrated his maiden half-century in his test debut after vice-captain Warner (60) raised his 25th as shadows crept across the ground. The match was decided earlier, however, when England's middle order suffered a ruinous collapse after lunch for the second time in succession. The loss of captain Joe Root for 51 some 10 minutes before the first break was a blow but there was still hope as Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow drove England to 155 for five. From there it all went sour, as England crashed out for 195, a collapse triggered by a third umpire decision that may be debated for years to come. Having breezed to 40, Moeen was beaten by spinner Nathan Lyon and wicketkeeper Tim Paine whipped the bails off in a flash with the all-rounder's foot planted squarely on the line. Long, tortuous deliberations followed, as New Zealander Chris Gaffaney pondered various angles of replay footage. None confirmed that any part of Moeen's foot was behind the line, so Gaffaney duly sent the batsman packing. It was Lyon's third wicket of a brilliant test for the offspinner and England's breaking point after three-and-a-half days of mostly valiant cricket. They lost 4-40 and their last three wickets for 10 runs as paceman Mitchell Starc awoke to trample all over England's wafer-thin hopes. All-rounder Chris Woakes added 30 runs with Bairstow but his uneasy 57-ball innings felt on borrowed time. He was dropped at short leg off Lyon when yet to score but caught easily in the slips by Smith for 17 after worked over by a short ball from Starc. Left to dig in and carry the tail, Bairstow instead threw away his wicket for 42 with a ramp shot over the slips that went straight to the third man. Stuart Broad was Starc's third victim four balls later when he feathered a nick behind and England's capitulation was complete when a harried Jake Ball was out for one, fending away Pat Cummins to fly slip. Smith's epic, unbeaten 141 on day three will take on an even greater significance when his team finishes the job, given the scant contributions of England's batsmen in their second innings. Root made the only half-century for his team, but it will be marked down as a footnote in a match and an emphatic first-up defeat in his ongoing duel with Smith. It was back to the old stagers James Anderson and Broad to try to pull off a miracle. But they washed harmlessly against the wall of Warner and Bancroft, who began opening their shoulders after a mostly watchful first hour. In the morning, it was Lyon who turned the screws with two wickets before Josh Hazlewood claimed the prized scalp of Root. After England resumed the day on 33 for two, Lyon had opener Mark Stoneman caught for 27 by Smith at slip. The spinner and captain combined again when Dawid Malan nicked behind to fall for four.

Ashes: Australia on brink of victory after England crumble

Australia will chase 170 for victory in the first Ashes test after England crumbled to be all out for 195 in their second innings at tea on day four of the series-opening Ashes test on Sunday.

Pacemen Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, and spinner Nathan Lyon each took three wickets as England collapsed after lunch to lose their last five wickets for the addition of 76 runs in the session.

England resumed on 119 for five after the break, with Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali tasked with pulling their team out of trouble.

For a period, it looked like the free-scoring pair might dig in, with Bairstow slogging Lyon for a six over midwicket.

Enter offspinner Lyon, who coaxed Moeen forward and the all-rounder&#39;s back foot strayed onto the line as wicketkeeper Tim Paine whipped off the bails.

The decision went upstairs and after a long deliberation using multiple angles of the video, Moeen was given out for 40, prompting jeers from English fans.

All-rounder Chris Woakes, who was out cheaply in the first innings, added 30 runs with Bairstow but was never comfortable.

He was dropped when yet to score, with Cameron Bancroft putting down a tough, low chance at short leg, but his luck ran out against Starc and he was caught in the slips by captain Steve Smith for 17.

That left Bairstow to carry the tail but instead of battening down the hatches, he threw away his wicket for 42 two overs later with a ramp shot over the slips that went straight to Peter Handscomb at third man.

Stuart Broad was out four balls later, caught behind by Paine with the decision confirmed by another lengthy use of the DRS.

England then lost their third wicket for one run when Starc had Jake Ball fend off a short ball to Handscomb at fly slip to be out for one.

In the morning, it was Lyon who turned the screws with two wickets before Hazlewood claimed the prized scalp of England captain Joe Root for 51.

Root had to pass a concussion test to play after being struck on the helmet by a fierce Starc bouncer late on day three and he showed commendable grit to reach his 33rd test half-century.

But a ball after bringing up the milestone with a flick for two off his pads, Root was trapped lbw for 51 just 10 minutes shy of the safety of lunch.

England had started on 33 for two, with Root on five and Mark Stoneman on 19, and the batsmen survived a tough pace examination before Smith turned to Lyon to break the stand.

The bowler obliged, having Stoneman play forward and Smith took a fine, lunging catch at slip to remove the opener for 27.

Lyon and Smith combined again soon after when Dawid Malan nicked straight to the skipper to fall for four.

Pacemen Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, and spinner Nathan Lyon each took three wickets as England collapsed after lunch to lose their last five wickets for the addition of 76 runs in the session

Australia will chase 170 for victory in the first Ashes test after England crumbled to be all out for 195 in their second innings at tea on day four of the series-opening Ashes test on Sunday. Pacemen Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, and spinner Nathan Lyon each took three wickets as England collapsed after lunch to lose their last five wickets for the addition of 76 runs in the session. England resumed on 119 for five after the break, with Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali tasked with pulling their team out of trouble. For a period, it looked like the free-scoring pair might dig in, with Bairstow slogging Lyon for a six over midwicket. Enter offspinner Lyon, who coaxed Moeen forward and the all-rounder's back foot strayed onto the line as wicketkeeper Tim Paine whipped off the bails. The decision went upstairs and after a long deliberation using multiple angles of the video, Moeen was given out for 40, prompting jeers from English fans. All-rounder Chris Woakes, who was out cheaply in the first innings, added 30 runs with Bairstow but was never comfortable. He was dropped when yet to score, with Cameron Bancroft putting down a tough, low chance at short leg, but his luck ran out against Starc and he was caught in the slips by captain Steve Smith for 17. That left Bairstow to carry the tail but instead of battening down the hatches, he threw away his wicket for 42 two overs later with a ramp shot over the slips that went straight to Peter Handscomb at third man. Stuart Broad was out four balls later, caught behind by Paine with the decision confirmed by another lengthy use of the DRS. England then lost their third wicket for one run when Starc had Jake Ball fend off a short ball to Handscomb at fly slip to be out for one. In the morning, it was Lyon who turned the screws with two wickets before Hazlewood claimed the prized scalp of England captain Joe Root for 51. Root had to pass a concussion test to play after being struck on the helmet by a fierce Starc bouncer late on day three and he showed commendable grit to reach his 33rd test half-century. But a ball after bringing up the milestone with a flick for two off his pads, Root was trapped lbw for 51 just 10 minutes shy of the safety of lunch. England had started on 33 for two, with Root on five and Mark Stoneman on 19, and the batsmen survived a tough pace examination before Smith turned to Lyon to break the stand. The bowler obliged, having Stoneman play forward and Smith took a fine, lunging catch at slip to remove the opener for 27. Lyon and Smith combined again soon after when Dawid Malan nicked straight to the skipper to fall for four.

Ashes series: Australia to chase 170 for victory after England crumble

Manchester United saw off a determined Brighton &amp; Hove Albion 1-0 on Saturday to reduce Manchester City&#39;s lead at the top of the Premier League to five points, while the three teams below them all dropped points.

Liverpool and Chelsea drew 1-1 at Anfield while Tottenham Hotspur&#39;s pursuit stalled with a home draw against West Bromwich Albion.

Those results offered an opportunity to Arsenal and surprise packets Burnley, either of whom would move into fourth if they win Sunday&#39;s meeting at Turf Moor.

With Manchester City on 34 points from 12 games, neighbours United took closer order on 29 points from 13 games, ahead of Pep Guardiola&#39;s leaders visiting Huddersfield Town on Sunday.

Chelsea have 26 points in third place but Tottenham stayed fourth on 24 while Liverpool are fifth on 23. Arsenal and Burnley both have 22.

Manchester United&#39;s unbeaten home record stretches back to when City beat them in September 2016, but it was not plain sailing against promoted Brighton, who proved spirited opposition in the first league meeting between the sides since 1983.

Ashley Young forced the goal in the 66th minute, his shot deflecting off defender Lewis Dunk to beat goalkeeper Matt Ryan.

&quot;Brighton deserved more than they got,&quot; United&#39;s manager Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports. &quot;They played really well and when they had the ball they were dangerous.&quot;

Liverpool&#39;s recent high-scoring run came to an end in the day&#39;s late game when it looked as if Mohamed Salah&#39;s 64th minute goal against his old club would earn a crucial win.

Instead, substitute Willian&#39;s mishit cross five minutes from time eluded goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to become only the second goal Juergen Klopp&#39;s side have conceded at home in seven league games.

&quot;Chelsea fought hard and deserved a point,&quot; said Klopp, who was angry that the officials took so long to allow a substitution just before Antonio Conte&#39;s side scored.

&quot;We wanted to go to five at the back, to change the situation and it&#39;s not too cool to have conceded,&quot; he added.

Spurs dropped two points against managerless West Bromwich Albion at Wembley.

They were behind at halftime to an early goal by Salomon Rondon and needed an equaliser from the ever-reliable Harry Kane 16 minutes from fulltime to salvage a draw.

Bottom club Crystal Palace earned only their second win of the season as a goal by Mamadou Sakho in added time beat visiting Stoke City 2-1.

A brilliant individual effort by Xherdan Shaqiri eight minutes after halftime ensured they would not keep a first clean sheet, but within three minutes new England international Ruben Loftus-Cheek, on loan from Chelsea, scored the equaliser.

Sakho&#39;s winner, jabbing in a rebound off the post, brought Palace within three points of 17th-placed West Brom.

&quot;That goal is worth its weight in gold,&quot; said manager Roy Hodgson.

His team made up two points on Swansea City, who could only draw 0-0 at home to Bournemouth.

The Welsh side were upset to have a goal disallowed just before the interval when Wilfried Bony, starting in place of Tammy Abraham, found the net.

The referee decided that team mate Jordan Ayew had fouled a defender.

Watford maintained their run of having scored at least twice in every away game with a comfortable 3-0 win at Newcastle to consolidate eighth place.

Will Hughes and Andre Gray scored either side of an own goal by American DeAndre Yedlin to secure a victory that further enhanced the credentials of manager Marco Silva, who has been coveted by Everton.

Manchester United's unbeaten home record stretches back to when City beat them in September 2016

Manchester United saw off a determined Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 on Saturday to reduce Manchester City's lead at the top of the Premier League to five points, while the three teams below them all dropped points. Liverpool and Chelsea drew 1-1 at Anfield while Tottenham Hotspur's pursuit stalled with a home draw against West Bromwich Albion. Those results offered an opportunity to Arsenal and surprise packets Burnley, either of whom would move into fourth if they win Sunday's meeting at Turf Moor. With Manchester City on 34 points from 12 games, neighbours United took closer order on 29 points from 13 games, ahead of Pep Guardiola's leaders visiting Huddersfield Town on Sunday. Chelsea have 26 points in third place but Tottenham stayed fourth on 24 while Liverpool are fifth on 23. Arsenal and Burnley both have 22. Manchester United's unbeaten home record stretches back to when City beat them in September 2016, but it was not plain sailing against promoted Brighton, who proved spirited opposition in the first league meeting between the sides since 1983. Ashley Young forced the goal in the 66th minute, his shot deflecting off defender Lewis Dunk to beat goalkeeper Matt Ryan. "Brighton deserved more than they got," United's manager Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports. "They played really well and when they had the ball they were dangerous." Liverpool's recent high-scoring run came to an end in the day's late game when it looked as if Mohamed Salah's 64th minute goal against his old club would earn a crucial win. Instead, substitute Willian's mishit cross five minutes from time eluded goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to become only the second goal Juergen Klopp's side have conceded at home in seven league games. "Chelsea fought hard and deserved a point," said Klopp, who was angry that the officials took so long to allow a substitution just before Antonio Conte's side scored. "We wanted to go to five at the back, to change the situation and it's not too cool to have conceded," he added. Spurs dropped two points against managerless West Bromwich Albion at Wembley. They were behind at halftime to an early goal by Salomon Rondon and needed an equaliser from the ever-reliable Harry Kane 16 minutes from fulltime to salvage a draw. Bottom club Crystal Palace earned only their second win of the season as a goal by Mamadou Sakho in added time beat visiting Stoke City 2-1. A brilliant individual effort by Xherdan Shaqiri eight minutes after halftime ensured they would not keep a first clean sheet, but within three minutes new England international Ruben Loftus-Cheek, on loan from Chelsea, scored the equaliser. Sakho's winner, jabbing in a rebound off the post, brought Palace within three points of 17th-placed West Brom. "That goal is worth its weight in gold," said manager Roy Hodgson. His team made up two points on Swansea City, who could only draw 0-0 at home to Bournemouth. The Welsh side were upset to have a goal disallowed just before the interval when Wilfried Bony, starting in place of Tammy Abraham, found the net. The referee decided that team mate Jordan Ayew had fouled a defender. Watford maintained their run of having scored at least twice in every away game with a comfortable 3-0 win at Newcastle to consolidate eighth place. Will Hughes and Andre Gray scored either side of an own goal by American DeAndre Yedlin to secure a victory that further enhanced the credentials of manager Marco Silva, who has been coveted by Everton.

Manchester pair in the clear as main rivals all draw

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon turned the screws with two early wickets before Josh Hazlewood claimed the prized scalp of Joe Root to leave England in trouble at 119 for five at lunch on day four of the first Ashes test on Sunday.

Moeen Ali, on 26 not out, and new batsman Jonny Bairstow, who had scored one, will resume after the break facing a huge task to increase England&#39;s 93-run lead to a competitive total as the wicket wears.

England captain Root had to pass a concussion test to be deemed fit to play in the morning after being struck on the helmet by a fierce Mitchell Starc bouncer late on day three.

He battled to reach his 33rd test half-century on a steamy day at the Gabba but was out the next ball, trapped lbw for 51 to leaving the tourists reeling with 10 minutes left until lunch.

England had resumed on 33 for two, with Root on five and Mark Stoneman on 19, and the batsmen survived a tough pace examination before Australia captain Steve Smith turned to offspinner Lyon to break the stand.

Lyon duly obliged, having Stoneman play forward and edge to the Australia skipper, who took a fine lunging catch at slip to remove the batsman for 27.

Not long after, Lyon had England number five Dawid Malan also nick straight to Smith for four.

Moeen survived an early scare with a nick behind off Starc that fell just short of a leaping Smith, who managed to get a finger on the ball before it hit the grass.

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon turned the screws with two early wickets before Josh Hazlewood claimed the prized scalp of Joe Root to leave England in trouble at 119 for five at lunch on day four of the first Ashes test on Sunday

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon turned the screws with two early wickets before Josh Hazlewood claimed the prized scalp of Joe Root to leave England in trouble at 119 for five at lunch on day four of the first Ashes test on Sunday. Moeen Ali, on 26 not out, and new batsman Jonny Bairstow, who had scored one, will resume after the break facing a huge task to increase England's 93-run lead to a competitive total as the wicket wears. England captain Root had to pass a concussion test to be deemed fit to play in the morning after being struck on the helmet by a fierce Mitchell Starc bouncer late on day three. He battled to reach his 33rd test half-century on a steamy day at the Gabba but was out the next ball, trapped lbw for 51 to leaving the tourists reeling with 10 minutes left until lunch. England had resumed on 33 for two, with Root on five and Mark Stoneman on 19, and the batsmen survived a tough pace examination before Australia captain Steve Smith turned to offspinner Lyon to break the stand. Lyon duly obliged, having Stoneman play forward and edge to the Australia skipper, who took a fine lunging catch at slip to remove the batsman for 27. Not long after, Lyon had England number five Dawid Malan also nick straight to Smith for four. Moeen survived an early scare with a nick behind off Starc that fell just short of a leaping Smith, who managed to get a finger on the ball before it hit the grass.

Root gone as England stagger to 119-5 at lunch

England set up a World Cup showdown with Australia after scraping home 20-18 against a late-charging Tonga, who were denied a last-gasp try in Auckland&nbsp;on Saturday.

It is the first time England have reached the final in 22 years, their last appearance ending in a 16-8 defeat by Australia at Wembley in 1995.

In a nail-biting finish to the semi-final, Tonga were down 20-0 with eight minutes remaining but the Pacific islanders ran in three quick tries to close within two points.

Then on the stroke of full-time, Tonga claimed Andrew Fifita was illegally stripped of the ball as he drove towards what would have been a sensational match-winning try.

But referee Matt Cecchin ruled Fifita lost the ball and refused Tongan pleas for a&nbsp;video review as England hung on to snap an agonising semi-final jinx.

Before a packed 30,000 Auckland crowd -- including a large contingent of Tonga supporters fired up by the appearance of the Tongan King Tupou VI wearing a team jersey -- it was England who impressed from the outset.&nbsp;

They scored two tries in the first half and another in the second with Garth Widdop landing four out of four shots at goal and adding a try himself as England inflicted a first defeat on Tonga in the tournament.

Australia, who beat England in pool play, thrashed Fiji 54-6 in the first semi-final in Brisbane&nbsp;on Friday.

England face the Kangaroos in the final, also in Brisbane, next weekend.

It is the first time England have reached the final in 22 years, their last appearance ending in a 16-8 defeat by Australia at Wembley in 1995

England set up a World Cup showdown with Australia after scraping home 20-18 against a late-charging Tonga, who were denied a last-gasp try in Auckland on Saturday. It is the first time England have reached the final in 22 years, their last appearance ending in a 16-8 defeat by Australia at Wembley in 1995. In a nail-biting finish to the semi-final, Tonga were down 20-0 with eight minutes remaining but the Pacific islanders ran in three quick tries to close within two points. Then on the stroke of full-time, Tonga claimed Andrew Fifita was illegally stripped of the ball as he drove towards what would have been a sensational match-winning try. But referee Matt Cecchin ruled Fifita lost the ball and refused Tongan pleas for a video review as England hung on to snap an agonising semi-final jinx. Before a packed 30,000 Auckland crowd -- including a large contingent of Tonga supporters fired up by the appearance of the Tongan King Tupou VI wearing a team jersey -- it was England who impressed from the outset. They scored two tries in the first half and another in the second with Garth Widdop landing four out of four shots at goal and adding a try himself as England inflicted a first defeat on Tonga in the tournament. Australia, who beat England in pool play, thrashed Fiji 54-6 in the first semi-final in Brisbane on Friday. England face the Kangaroos in the final, also in Brisbane, next weekend.

England into World Cup final after late Tonga drama

A captain&#39;s century hewn from granite and two wickets in a fiery pace assault after tea saw Australia wrest the momentum away from England by the end of an enthralling day three of the series-opening Ashes test in Brisbane on Saturday.

Josh Hazlewood snared two victims to leave England 33 for two at stumps and clinging to a seven-run lead after skipper Steve Smith inspired the hosts with a brilliant, unbeaten 141 in front of a grateful crowd of 33,474 at the Gabba.

Opener Mark Stoneman, on 19 not out, and Joe Root on five survived a furious pace examination in the final overs as the pitch grew appreciably quicker.

With Australia teetering at 76 for four on day two and their nearly 30-year unbeaten record at the Gabba seemingly in peril, Smith dragged his side back from the brink over eight-and-a-half hours of steely application.

By the time tail-ender Nathan Lyon edged to Alastair Cook in the slips, marking the end of Australia&#39;s innings of 328, Smith strode off to a hero&#39;s ovation, having pushed his side 26 runs in front of England&#39;s first innings 302.

&quot;It&#39;ll be up there definitely, obviously with the team in a bit of trouble,&quot; Smith told reporters when asked if was the most satisfying ton of his career.

&quot;I had to bat some time and dig really deep ... I think it was my slowest hundred, someone told me, had to work hard and be really disciplined and resilient.&quot;

Smith&#39;s team mates inspired and his pacemen hitting the deck hard, Cook was soon out cheaply for a second time in the test.

Caught behind for two off Mitchell Starc in the first innings, Cook was caught for seven by the paceman in the deep when he tried to hook a short ball from Josh Hazlewood away to safety.

Hazlewood then had an uneasy James Vince out for two with a rearing delivery that sent an edge to Smith in the slips.

Moments later, Starc struck Root in the helmet with a venomous delivery and took turns with Cummins to pepper Stoneman with short balls.

Root and Stoneman will face more of the same in the morning, but Stuart Broad felt England were in the best position they had been at a Gabba test in over 30 years.

&quot;Actually we&rsquo;re in a lot of control of this game after three days,&quot; he said. &quot;It&rsquo;s in our hands to bat big tomorrow.&quot;

Cummins Cameo

Cummins earlier provided fine support to Smith with a knock of 42 in a 66-run partnership, surviving for all but 10 minutes of the middle session until he was finally caught at slip off all-rounder Chris Woakes.

Smith, who began the day on 64, moved slowly but purposefully towards his century and soaked up eight successive dot balls when on 97 before Broad finally gave an opening.

The skipper pounced on a fuller, wide delivery, smashing a drive past mid-off for four, triggering a huge roar from the sell-out crowd.

Having completed his sixth Ashes ton, Smith tore off his helmet, raised his arms in triumph and beat his chest twice in a fired-up celebration, one of the most ardent of his 21 test hundreds.

It helped swing the match back into balance after England&#39;s veteran pacemen had dominated the morning.

A fired-up Broad had captured two wickets and broken a 99-run stand between Smith and Shaun Marsh, with fellow seamer James Anderson chipping in with another.

The Australian number six lasted five overs in the morning before being dismissed softly for 51, spooning a slower delivery from Broad straight to Anderson at mid-off.

Tim Paine, who replaced Matthew Wade in part due to his better form with the bat, managed 13 before falling to Anderson with the fourth delivery of the new ball.

Starc smashed Broad over the long-off rope for six but the England paceman turned the tables on his fellow quick two balls later with a caught and bowled.

A captain's century hewn from granite and two wickets in a fiery pace assault after tea saw Australia wrest the momentum away from England by the end of an enthralling day three of the series-opening Ashes test in Brisbane on Saturday

A captain's century hewn from granite and two wickets in a fiery pace assault after tea saw Australia wrest the momentum away from England by the end of an enthralling day three of the series-opening Ashes test in Brisbane on Saturday. Josh Hazlewood snared two victims to leave England 33 for two at stumps and clinging to a seven-run lead after skipper Steve Smith inspired the hosts with a brilliant, unbeaten 141 in front of a grateful crowd of 33,474 at the Gabba. Opener Mark Stoneman, on 19 not out, and Joe Root on five survived a furious pace examination in the final overs as the pitch grew appreciably quicker. With Australia teetering at 76 for four on day two and their nearly 30-year unbeaten record at the Gabba seemingly in peril, Smith dragged his side back from the brink over eight-and-a-half hours of steely application. By the time tail-ender Nathan Lyon edged to Alastair Cook in the slips, marking the end of Australia's innings of 328, Smith strode off to a hero's ovation, having pushed his side 26 runs in front of England's first innings 302. "It'll be up there definitely, obviously with the team in a bit of trouble," Smith told reporters when asked if was the most satisfying ton of his career. "I had to bat some time and dig really deep ... I think it was my slowest hundred, someone told me, had to work hard and be really disciplined and resilient." Smith's team mates inspired and his pacemen hitting the deck hard, Cook was soon out cheaply for a second time in the test. Caught behind for two off Mitchell Starc in the first innings, Cook was caught for seven by the paceman in the deep when he tried to hook a short ball from Josh Hazlewood away to safety. Hazlewood then had an uneasy James Vince out for two with a rearing delivery that sent an edge to Smith in the slips. Moments later, Starc struck Root in the helmet with a venomous delivery and took turns with Cummins to pepper Stoneman with short balls. Root and Stoneman will face more of the same in the morning, but Stuart Broad felt England were in the best position they had been at a Gabba test in over 30 years. "Actually we’re in a lot of control of this game after three days," he said. "It’s in our hands to bat big tomorrow." Cummins Cameo Cummins earlier provided fine support to Smith with a knock of 42 in a 66-run partnership, surviving for all but 10 minutes of the middle session until he was finally caught at slip off all-rounder Chris Woakes. Smith, who began the day on 64, moved slowly but purposefully towards his century and soaked up eight successive dot balls when on 97 before Broad finally gave an opening. The skipper pounced on a fuller, wide delivery, smashing a drive past mid-off for four, triggering a huge roar from the sell-out crowd. Having completed his sixth Ashes ton, Smith tore off his helmet, raised his arms in triumph and beat his chest twice in a fired-up celebration, one of the most ardent of his 21 test hundreds. It helped swing the match back into balance after England's veteran pacemen had dominated the morning. A fired-up Broad had captured two wickets and broken a 99-run stand between Smith and Shaun Marsh, with fellow seamer James Anderson chipping in with another. The Australian number six lasted five overs in the morning before being dismissed softly for 51, spooning a slower delivery from Broad straight to Anderson at mid-off. Tim Paine, who replaced Matthew Wade in part due to his better form with the bat, managed 13 before falling to Anderson with the fourth delivery of the new ball. Starc smashed Broad over the long-off rope for six but the England paceman turned the tables on his fellow quick two balls later with a caught and bowled.

Centurion Smith ushers Australia to safety

England&#39;s veteran pacemen blasted through Australia&#39;s middle order to reduce the hosts to 213 for seven at lunch on day three of the series-opening&nbsp;Ashes&nbsp;test on Saturday.

A fired-up Stuart Broad captured two wickets, most importantly breaking a 99-run stand between captain Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh, and fellow seamer James Anderson chipped in with another.

Smith, who rescued his team from a position of peril at 76 for four late on day two, remained unbowed on 81, with tail-ender Pat Cummins hanging on grimly at the other end with two runs to his name.

The home side, who had resumed on 165 for four on a muggy, overcast morning at the Gabba, were still 89 runs adrift of England&#39;s first innings total of 302.

Having shown impressive resolve after tea on day two to support his captain, Marsh lasted five overs in the morning before being dismissed softly for 51 by a slower delivery from Broad, which he spooned straight to Anderson at mid-off.

Tim Paine, who replaced Matthew Wade in part due to his better form with the bat, managed 13 in a 42-ball knock before departing with a nick behind off Anderson with the fourth delivery of the new ball.

Jonny Bairstow dived to his right to glove a sharp one-handed catch and remove his fellow keeper, leaving Australia wobbling at 202 for six.

Tail-end slogger Mitchell Starc came to the crease and got off the mark with a six from the third ball he faced, smashing Broad over the long-off rope to leave the Englishman smiling wryly.

Broad turned the tables on his fellow quick two balls later, however, inducing a leading edge from the Australian and taking the catch himself.

Smith claimed his 21st Test century with a flourishing cover drive off Stuart Broad nearing tea to bring up one of his most disciplined Test innings

England's veteran pacemen blasted through Australia's middle order to reduce the hosts to 213 for seven at lunch on day three of the series-opening Ashes test on Saturday. A fired-up Stuart Broad captured two wickets, most importantly breaking a 99-run stand between captain Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh, and fellow seamer James Anderson chipped in with another. Smith, who rescued his team from a position of peril at 76 for four late on day two, remained unbowed on 81, with tail-ender Pat Cummins hanging on grimly at the other end with two runs to his name. The home side, who had resumed on 165 for four on a muggy, overcast morning at the Gabba, were still 89 runs adrift of England's first innings total of 302. Having shown impressive resolve after tea on day two to support his captain, Marsh lasted five overs in the morning before being dismissed softly for 51 by a slower delivery from Broad, which he spooned straight to Anderson at mid-off. Tim Paine, who replaced Matthew Wade in part due to his better form with the bat, managed 13 in a 42-ball knock before departing with a nick behind off Anderson with the fourth delivery of the new ball. Jonny Bairstow dived to his right to glove a sharp one-handed catch and remove his fellow keeper, leaving Australia wobbling at 202 for six. Tail-end slogger Mitchell Starc came to the crease and got off the mark with a six from the third ball he faced, smashing Broad over the long-off rope to leave the Englishman smiling wryly. Broad turned the tables on his fellow quick two balls later, however, inducing a leading edge from the Australian and taking the catch himself.

Ashes series: Broad, Anderson wrest back momentum for England

Captain Steve Smith frustrated England with a fighting half-century and pushed Australia to 165 for four at the close of a see-sawing day two, rescuing the hosts after a top-order collapse in the series-opening Ashes test in Brisbane on Friday.

With his team in peril at 76 for four, Smith&rsquo;s unbeaten 64 in an 89-run stand with number six Shaun Marsh gave Australia hope of reeling in England&rsquo;s first innings 302 at the Gabba.

Lefthander Marsh, under pressure to perform after winning his eighth recall to the test team, played a fine support role to be 44 not out at stumps.

After day one saw only four wickets fall, 10 tumbled on day two as the Gabba pitch quickened and recovered some of its customary bounce.

England lost their last six wickets in a hurry to be out for 302 at lunch and Australia seemed to be back in control at their Brisbane fortress.

But the pendulum swung again as England&rsquo;s bowlers scythed through the hosts&rsquo; top order in a breathless middle session.

After replacing Matt Renshaw in the squad, opener Cameron Bancroft&rsquo;s first bat in his Ashes test debut lasted 19 balls after he nibbled at a teasing ball from Stuart Broad and was caught behind for five.

A Queensland opener whose home ground is the Gabba, the Western Australian&rsquo;s cheap dismissal was a bitter one for local fans.

Number three Usman Khawaja&rsquo;s problems against spin in the subcontinent followed him home as he was trapped lbw for 11 by Moeen Ali.

The alarm bells began ringing when opener David Warner holed out for 26, pulling paceman Jake Ball straight to Dawid Malan at short mid-wicket to give the Ashes debutant his first wicket in Australia.

And Australia was left reeling at 76 for four when Peter Handscomb was trapped lbw for 14 by James Anderson in the first over after tea.

Rescue Mission

Once again it fell to Smith to mount a rescue mission and the 28-year-old was a rock through 148 balls as he ground out one of his grittiest half-centuries.

He reached his 22nd test fifty with a single having all but nicked Anderson behind on the first ball faced.

England had been in control at 246 for four in the morning session when momentum shifted away from them.

Malan had reached his third half-century in his sixth test, completing a hat-trick of fifties for England&rsquo;s rookie batsmen after opener Mark Stoneman had 53 on day one and number three James Vince scored 83.

But like his colleagues, Malan squandered the chance by pulling Mitchell Starc straight to a fielder and was out for 56.

The wicket broke a stubborn 83-run partnership with Moeen, and England promptly crumbled.

Denied a wicket on day one when recalled wicketkeeper Tim Paine grassed a nick from Vince, spinner Nathan Lyon trapped Moeen lbw for 38 and bowled Chris Woakes for a duck in quick succession.

Jonny Bairstow was caught for nine by Paine skying a pull shot before Warner took a brilliant, diving catch at leg gully to remove Ball for 14.

Broad was dropped in the deep by Marsh when on 10 but he was out for 20 pulling Josh Hazlewood to Handscomb, bringing an end to England&rsquo;s innings.

Starc captured 3-77 and Cummins 3-85 for Australia.

With his team in peril at 76 for four, Smith?s unbeaten 64 in an 89-run stand with number six Shaun Marsh gave Australia hope of reeling in England?s first innings 302 at the Gabba

Captain Steve Smith frustrated England with a fighting half-century and pushed Australia to 165 for four at the close of a see-sawing day two, rescuing the hosts after a top-order collapse in the series-opening Ashes test in Brisbane on Friday. With his team in peril at 76 for four, Smith’s unbeaten 64 in an 89-run stand with number six Shaun Marsh gave Australia hope of reeling in England’s first innings 302 at the Gabba. Lefthander Marsh, under pressure to perform after winning his eighth recall to the test team, played a fine support role to be 44 not out at stumps. After day one saw only four wickets fall, 10 tumbled on day two as the Gabba pitch quickened and recovered some of its customary bounce. England lost their last six wickets in a hurry to be out for 302 at lunch and Australia seemed to be back in control at their Brisbane fortress. But the pendulum swung again as England’s bowlers scythed through the hosts’ top order in a breathless middle session. After replacing Matt Renshaw in the squad, opener Cameron Bancroft’s first bat in his Ashes test debut lasted 19 balls after he nibbled at a teasing ball from Stuart Broad and was caught behind for five. A Queensland opener whose home ground is the Gabba, the Western Australian’s cheap dismissal was a bitter one for local fans. Number three Usman Khawaja’s problems against spin in the subcontinent followed him home as he was trapped lbw for 11 by Moeen Ali. The alarm bells began ringing when opener David Warner holed out for 26, pulling paceman Jake Ball straight to Dawid Malan at short mid-wicket to give the Ashes debutant his first wicket in Australia. And Australia was left reeling at 76 for four when Peter Handscomb was trapped lbw for 14 by James Anderson in the first over after tea. Rescue Mission Once again it fell to Smith to mount a rescue mission and the 28-year-old was a rock through 148 balls as he ground out one of his grittiest half-centuries. He reached his 22nd test fifty with a single having all but nicked Anderson behind on the first ball faced. England had been in control at 246 for four in the morning session when momentum shifted away from them. Malan had reached his third half-century in his sixth test, completing a hat-trick of fifties for England’s rookie batsmen after opener Mark Stoneman had 53 on day one and number three James Vince scored 83. But like his colleagues, Malan squandered the chance by pulling Mitchell Starc straight to a fielder and was out for 56. The wicket broke a stubborn 83-run partnership with Moeen, and England promptly crumbled. Denied a wicket on day one when recalled wicketkeeper Tim Paine grassed a nick from Vince, spinner Nathan Lyon trapped Moeen lbw for 38 and bowled Chris Woakes for a duck in quick succession. Jonny Bairstow was caught for nine by Paine skying a pull shot before Warner took a brilliant, diving catch at leg gully to remove Ball for 14. Broad was dropped in the deep by Marsh when on 10 but he was out for 20 pulling Josh Hazlewood to Handscomb, bringing an end to England’s innings. Starc captured 3-77 and Cummins 3-85 for Australia.

Ashes: Captain Smith drags Australia back from brink against England

The National Public School of Bengaluru lifted&nbsp;the pan-India crossword challenge after going through several gruelling rounds. The grand finale of the annual Cryptic Crossword Contest 2017, held at Kendriya Vidyalaya No.2 in Delhi Cantonment, was spread over November 21 and 23. &quot;Rida Shafeek and Aditi Koul of National Public School, Koramangala, lifted the trophy. Amar Mishra and Devpriya Saswata of Navrachana School, Vadodara, the winner of the last edition, won the second position. 
 
&quot;Anish Bajaj and Arav Agarwal of The Mother&#39;s International School, New Delhi, finished third,&quot; the organizers of the event said in a statement. The concluding function was attended by Anil Swarup, Secretary, School Education and Literacy, HRD Ministry. As many as 36 teams, which were the winners of the preliminary round held across India, participated in the finale which comprised a written elimination round, eight quarter-finals, three semi-finals and a final, they said. 
 
The Cryptic Crossword Contest 2017, the fifth in a series of contests started in 2013 -- the &#39;Year of the Crossword&#39;. 
 
<iframe frameborder="0" height="1" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" width="1"></iframe>The year 2013 marked the centenary year of the first published crossword. It was published in the Christmas-eve edition of New York World in 1913. Its creator was Arthur Wynne who belonged to Liverpool, England. 
 
It is a two-phase contest involving teams of two students each, belonging to class 9-12 of schools affiliated to any of the recognised&nbsp;boards of school education in India. 
 
In the first phase of the current edition, written tests were held in 39 cities in a span of 58 days, they said.

The year 2013 marked the centenary year of the first published crossword. It was published in the Christmas-eve edition of New York World in 1913. Its creator was Arthur Wynne who belonged to Liverpool, England

The National Public School of Bengaluru lifted the pan-India crossword challenge after going through several gruelling rounds. The grand finale of the annual Cryptic Crossword Contest 2017, held at Kendriya Vidyalaya No.2 in Delhi Cantonment, was spread over November 21 and 23. "Rida Shafeek and Aditi Koul of National Public School, Koramangala, lifted the trophy. Amar Mishra and Devpriya Saswata of Navrachana School, Vadodara, the winner of the last edition, won the second position. "Anish Bajaj and Arav Agarwal of The Mother's International School, New Delhi, finished third," the organizers of the event said in a statement. The concluding function was attended by Anil Swarup, Secretary, School Education and Literacy, HRD Ministry. As many as 36 teams, which were the winners of the preliminary round held across India, participated in the finale which comprised a written elimination round, eight quarter-finals, three semi-finals and a final, they said. The Cryptic Crossword Contest 2017, the fifth in a series of contests started in 2013 -- the 'Year of the Crossword'. The year 2013 marked the centenary year of the first published crossword. It was published in the Christmas-eve edition of New York World in 1913. Its creator was Arthur Wynne who belonged to Liverpool, England. It is a two-phase contest involving teams of two students each, belonging to class 9-12 of schools affiliated to any of the recognised boards of school education in India. In the first phase of the current edition, written tests were held in 39 cities in a span of 58 days, they said.

Bengaluru school lifts all-India crossword contest trophy

Australia fought back with two late wickets to restrict England to 196 for four and leave the Ashes series-opener in Brisbane delicately poised on Thursday after the tourists&#39; unheralded batsmen threatened to dominate an intriguing first day.

Ashes debutants Mark Stoneman and James Vince had frustrated Australia&#39;s vaunted pace attack with a 125-run partnership on a slow Gabba wicket but seamer Pat Cummins hauled the home side back in the game.

The young paceman bowled Stoneman for 53 in the last over before tea then returned to capture England captain Joe Root lbw for 15, leaving Moeen Ali and Dawid Malan to negotiate a nervy finish to stumps.

Spinner Nathan Lyon denied Vince a potentially career-defining century with a brilliant piece of fielding, running him out for 83 after nearly four hours of the pain-staking graft.

Malan was 28 not out and Moeen on 13, with both sides having fought hard after Root won the toss and sent his team into bat.

England would have been buoyed by the performance of rookies Vince and Stoneman but tempered by the disappointment that neither could go on to make bigger scores.

Stoneman was bowled four balls short of the relief of tea, while Vince was out making a needless dash for a single.

Vince&#39;s wicket seemed like a turning point and though Root dug in for 50 balls, he was out lbw by a scorching delivery from Cummins, the wicket awarded after home captain Steve Smith demanded a review of Marais Erasmus&#39;s not out decision.

Cummins greeted Moeen with a short ball that hammered into his upper body. Unperturbed, the all-rounder drove Cummins for four and casually despatched Lyon for six with a slog sweep over deep midwicket a few overs later.

Australia lost a review trying to remove Malan lbw in the last over before play was halted due to poor light.

Dropped catch

Vince, England&#39;s surprise selection at number three, brought up his maiden 50 in his eighth test, having never before surpassed 42 in his previous seven matches.

Stoneman raised his 50 with a streaky edge off Cummins, the ball falling short of second slip before racing off for two, leaving fielder Peter Handscomb punching the turf in frustration.

Worse was to come for the hosts in the following over as recalled wicketkeeper Tim Paine grassed a chance to have Vince out for 68 when he nicked Lyon behind.

Paine had taken Matthew Wade&#39;s place in the test squad in a surprising selection, beating out Peter Nevill, and the miss saw Smith fling his head back in exasperation.

While the Gabba wicket showed a green tinge, Smith said he too would have batted first and his fast men rarely threatened early, struggling to extract much pace or movement off the seam in the morning.

The exception was a peach of a delivery from paceman Mitchell Starc which moved away slightly from Alastair Cook and kissed the outside edge on the way to Handscomb in the slips.

Smith earlier confirmed opener David Warner and Shaun Marsh would play after they suffered neck and back strains in recent days.

Ashes debutants Mark Stoneman and James Vince had frustrated Australia's vaunted pace attack with a 125-run partnership on a slow Gabba wicket

Australia fought back with two late wickets to restrict England to 196 for four and leave the Ashes series-opener in Brisbane delicately poised on Thursday after the tourists' unheralded batsmen threatened to dominate an intriguing first day. Ashes debutants Mark Stoneman and James Vince had frustrated Australia's vaunted pace attack with a 125-run partnership on a slow Gabba wicket but seamer Pat Cummins hauled the home side back in the game. The young paceman bowled Stoneman for 53 in the last over before tea then returned to capture England captain Joe Root lbw for 15, leaving Moeen Ali and Dawid Malan to negotiate a nervy finish to stumps. Spinner Nathan Lyon denied Vince a potentially career-defining century with a brilliant piece of fielding, running him out for 83 after nearly four hours of the pain-staking graft. Malan was 28 not out and Moeen on 13, with both sides having fought hard after Root won the toss and sent his team into bat. England would have been buoyed by the performance of rookies Vince and Stoneman but tempered by the disappointment that neither could go on to make bigger scores. Stoneman was bowled four balls short of the relief of tea, while Vince was out making a needless dash for a single. Vince's wicket seemed like a turning point and though Root dug in for 50 balls, he was out lbw by a scorching delivery from Cummins, the wicket awarded after home captain Steve Smith demanded a review of Marais Erasmus's not out decision. Cummins greeted Moeen with a short ball that hammered into his upper body. Unperturbed, the all-rounder drove Cummins for four and casually despatched Lyon for six with a slog sweep over deep midwicket a few overs later. Australia lost a review trying to remove Malan lbw in the last over before play was halted due to poor light. Dropped catch Vince, England's surprise selection at number three, brought up his maiden 50 in his eighth test, having never before surpassed 42 in his previous seven matches. Stoneman raised his 50 with a streaky edge off Cummins, the ball falling short of second slip before racing off for two, leaving fielder Peter Handscomb punching the turf in frustration. Worse was to come for the hosts in the following over as recalled wicketkeeper Tim Paine grassed a chance to have Vince out for 68 when he nicked Lyon behind. Paine had taken Matthew Wade's place in the test squad in a surprising selection, beating out Peter Nevill, and the miss saw Smith fling his head back in exasperation. While the Gabba wicket showed a green tinge, Smith said he too would have batted first and his fast men rarely threatened early, struggling to extract much pace or movement off the seam in the morning. The exception was a peach of a delivery from paceman Mitchell Starc which moved away slightly from Alastair Cook and kissed the outside edge on the way to Handscomb in the slips. Smith earlier confirmed opener David Warner and Shaun Marsh would play after they suffered neck and back strains in recent days.

Ashes, 1st Test: Australia rally late to restrict England

Last week, 50 Sri Lankan Tamil men used an&nbsp; international news agency to make a damning accusation: that they were raped and tortured by Sri Lankan authorities on suspicion of being members of the separatist terror group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), against whom Sri Lanka fought a&nbsp;bloody, 30-year-long civil war. By the time the war ended, more than 120,000 people had been killed. But the conflict ended in 2009. These men say they were tortured in 2016.&nbsp;Why did they wait so long to speak up?&nbsp;British parliamentarian Lord Naseby knows Sri Lanka intimately, having been associated with it for 45 years. He heads a parliamentarian group supportive of Sri Lanka in England&#39;s House of Lords.&nbsp;And he spoke to WION in an exclusive about the latest charges and possible motives.

Sri Lanka&rsquo;s long civil war has been marked by the frequent surfacing of fake videos and doctored evidence, more often than not, at the hands of sections of the very powerful global Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora, who supported, armed and financed the terror group LTTE.&nbsp;The network is so powerful and well-connected that they gathered several media concerns and NGOs as supporters of their cause along the way.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka has been under sustained fire for alleged human rights violations during the long war. Like in any conflict in the world, excesses were not unknown. However, why would a country already under international scrutiny, torture prisoners seven years after the end of the war? <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/un-fudged-sri-lanka-war-casualty-figures-uk-parliamentarian-says-citing-classified-files-24164" target="_blank">Lord Naseby&rsquo;s earlier revelation</a> based on confidential reports had already caused a sensation in the House of Lords. He had accessed confidential reports from the UK Defence Attache in Sri Lanka, figures cited by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the UN spokesperson and by the US ambassador to Sri Lanka &ndash; all during 2009, the last year of war. They revealed that the casualty figures of the last phase of the war had been mysteriously altered and upped seven-fold by the United Nations. From an accepted estimate of a total of 5000-7000 deaths which included troops, LTTE cadres and civilians, the UN &ndash; ostensibly under pressure from pro-LTTE lobby groups &ndash; had hiked the figure up to 40,000. Lord Naseby&rsquo;s remarks to WION&rsquo;s Mandy Clark in London on the latest torture allegations are no less revealing.&nbsp;

&ldquo;This report is quite interesting because we are now nearly at the end of 2017. So one wonders why it&rsquo;s taken so long to come out?&quot; asks Lord Naseby. &ldquo;Of course, if there was torture of that nature, then it&rsquo;s entirely unacceptable.&nbsp; However, I have observed two things. Firstly, we had the case of an asylum-seeker here in the UK just some months ago. He had similar burns on his arms and back. But the conclusion of the Appeals judge was, that these wounds had been self-inflicted. And that he must have had some help to do it.&nbsp; And besides, the injuries are far too clearly defined for them to have been done by anybody who was roughing somebody up.&nbsp;

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&quot;The Appeals judge had rejected the case mentioned by Lord Naseby in April 2017, calling the injuries &lsquo;self-inflicted by proxy&rsquo;. Rumors of several unscrupulous doctors in the UK offering their services to Sri Lankan Tamils and other asylum-seekers to mutilate them under anaesthesia refuse to die down too. But WION correspondent Clark asked the British MP what made him confident that the latest report was a sham.&nbsp; &nbsp;

&ldquo;I go to Sri Lanka about once a year,&rsquo;&rsquo;&nbsp;explained Lord Naseby.&quot; &quot;And I make it a particular point to see the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) there. I do so in their headquarters and I meet nobody there other than the head of the ICRC. I have asked them three times now:&nbsp;have you, the ICRC, who have access, to all the prisons including the high-security ones, immigration areas, police stations, are in all the prisons, also the high-security prisons ever come across torture as defined under the Geneva Convention in any form or other, this previous year?&nbsp; And the answer has been: &lsquo;No we have not. We&rsquo;ve come across some heavy handling but nothing of what these men are alleging.&rdquo;

Lord Naseby points to &ldquo;heavy handling&quot; all over the world, referring to Guantanamo Bay, the US high-security prison for terrorists. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe there is anything of that nature being done in Sri Lanka. Sure, there may be the odd case but &ndash; I&rsquo;d like to see the real evidence from these particular young men who have made the charge.&rdquo;

The controversial film of the men alleging torture does not present the credentials of the medical professionals who must have examined the wounds to determine how they were inflicted. But it begs the question: can doctors really tell by looking at a wound whether it was violently inflicted by a third party, or clinically inflicted in agreement with the &quot;patient&quot;?&nbsp; No, says Lord Naseby, citing his own wife, a doctor. But the politician says he can understand the motives behind such acts.

&rdquo;It&rsquo;s a very great temptation for people desperate to stay in the West, to self-inflict, &ldquo; he says. &ldquo;People like to come to the UK because they can have a better life here. And whether these men were LTTE supporters or not, is of no concern to me. But if I were one, I too would be really tempted to try and stay. And if you&rsquo;re a former LTTE, what are a few burns on your body if you can get asylum through that mechanism? It would be a small price to pay.

Lord Naseby&rsquo;s main contention is that the ICRC is a neutral body with no political affiliations and nothing to hide. The strength and robustness of Colombo&rsquo;s response, too, gives the British MP the clear indication that the torture may not have happened.&nbsp; &nbsp;For now, he is not going to pursue the investigation of the latest charges, preoccupied as he is with compiling more evidence on the fudged casualty figures, to present a report to the United Nations Human Rights Council. But, if the charges made by the 50 men are also proven false, they will add fuel to the huge fire Lord Naseby&rsquo;s revelations on Sri Lanka will ignite, both in the House of Lords and in Colombo&rsquo;s parliament, thousands of kilometres away.

50 Sri Lankan Tamil men had said last week that they were raped and tortured by Lankan authorities on the suspicion of being members of the LTTE -- seven years after the end of the civil war

Last week, 50 Sri Lankan Tamil men used an international news agency to make a damning accusation: that they were raped and tortured by Sri Lankan authorities on suspicion of being members of the separatist terror group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), against whom Sri Lanka fought a bloody, 30-year-long civil war. By the time the war ended, more than 120,000 people had been killed. But the conflict ended in 2009. These men say they were tortured in 2016. Why did they wait so long to speak up? British parliamentarian Lord Naseby knows Sri Lanka intimately, having been associated with it for 45 years. He heads a parliamentarian group supportive of Sri Lanka in England's House of Lords. And he spoke to WION in an exclusive about the latest charges and possible motives. Sri Lanka’s long civil war has been marked by the frequent surfacing of fake videos and doctored evidence, more often than not, at the hands of sections of the very powerful global Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora, who supported, armed and financed the terror group LTTE. The network is so powerful and well-connected that they gathered several media concerns and NGOs as supporters of their cause along the way. Sri Lanka has been under sustained fire for alleged human rights violations during the long war. Like in any conflict in the world, excesses were not unknown. However, why would a country already under international scrutiny, torture prisoners seven years after the end of the war? Lord Naseby’s earlier revelation based on confidential reports had already caused a sensation in the House of Lords. He had accessed confidential reports from the UK Defence Attache in Sri Lanka, figures cited by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the UN spokesperson and by the US ambassador to Sri Lanka – all during 2009, the last year of war. They revealed that the casualty figures of the last phase of the war had been mysteriously altered and upped seven-fold by the United Nations. From an accepted estimate of a total of 5000-7000 deaths which included troops, LTTE cadres and civilians, the UN – ostensibly under pressure from pro-LTTE lobby groups – had hiked the figure up to 40,000. Lord Naseby’s remarks to WION’s Mandy Clark in London on the latest torture allegations are no less revealing. “This report is quite interesting because we are now nearly at the end of 2017. So one wonders why it’s taken so long to come out?" asks Lord Naseby. “Of course, if there was torture of that nature, then it’s entirely unacceptable. However, I have observed two things. Firstly, we had the case of an asylum-seeker here in the UK just some months ago. He had similar burns on his arms and back. But the conclusion of the Appeals judge was, that these wounds had been self-inflicted. And that he must have had some help to do it. And besides, the injuries are far too clearly defined for them to have been done by anybody who was roughing somebody up. × "The Appeals judge had rejected the case mentioned by Lord Naseby in April 2017, calling the injuries ‘self-inflicted by proxy’. Rumors of several unscrupulous doctors in the UK offering their services to Sri Lankan Tamils and other asylum-seekers to mutilate them under anaesthesia refuse to die down too. But WION correspondent Clark asked the British MP what made him confident that the latest report was a sham. “I go to Sri Lanka about once a year,’’ explained Lord Naseby." "And I make it a particular point to see the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) there. I do so in their headquarters and I meet nobody there other than the head of the ICRC. I have asked them three times now: have you, the ICRC, who have access, to all the prisons including the high-security ones, immigration areas, police stations, are in all the prisons, also the high-security prisons ever come across torture as defined under the Geneva Convention in any form or other, this previous year? And the answer has been: ‘No we have not. We’ve come across some heavy handling but nothing of what these men are alleging.” Lord Naseby points to “heavy handling" all over the world, referring to Guantanamo Bay, the US high-security prison for terrorists. “I don’t believe there is anything of that nature being done in Sri Lanka. Sure, there may be the odd case but – I’d like to see the real evidence from these particular young men who have made the charge.” The controversial film of the men alleging torture does not present the credentials of the medical professionals who must have examined the wounds to determine how they were inflicted. But it begs the question: can doctors really tell by looking at a wound whether it was violently inflicted by a third party, or clinically inflicted in agreement with the "patient"? No, says Lord Naseby, citing his own wife, a doctor. But the politician says he can understand the motives behind such acts. ”It’s a very great temptation for people desperate to stay in the West, to self-inflict, “ he says. “People like to come to the UK because they can have a better life here. And whether these men were LTTE supporters or not, is of no concern to me. But if I were one, I too would be really tempted to try and stay. And if you’re a former LTTE, what are a few burns on your body if you can get asylum through that mechanism? It would be a small price to pay. Lord Naseby’s main contention is that the ICRC is a neutral body with no political affiliations and nothing to hide. The strength and robustness of Colombo’s response, too, gives the British MP the clear indication that the torture may not have happened. For now, he is not going to pursue the investigation of the latest charges, preoccupied as he is with compiling more evidence on the fudged casualty figures, to present a report to the United Nations Human Rights Council. But, if the charges made by the 50 men are also proven false, they will add fuel to the huge fire Lord Naseby’s revelations on Sri Lanka will ignite, both in the House of Lords and in Colombo’s parliament, thousands of kilometres away.

Tamil torture wounds may have been self-inflicted: Lord Naseby

A plane and a helicopter collided in mid-air in England on Friday afternoon.

The incident happened near a Buckinghamshire manor house.

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Plane and helicopter collided in mid-air near a Buckinghamshire manor house this afternoon: UK Media
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The Air Accidents Investigation Branch was conducting an investigation.&nbsp;

Fire and ambulance services were immediately sent to the place of collision.

Reports have indicated casualties; official figures are not yet out.&nbsp;

The incident occurred near a Buckinghamshire manor house? ?

A plane and a helicopter collided in mid-air in England on Friday afternoon. The incident happened near a Buckinghamshire manor house. Plane and helicopter collided in mid-air near a Buckinghamshire manor house this afternoon: UK Media — ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2017 × The Air Accidents Investigation Branch was conducting an investigation. Fire and ambulance services were immediately sent to the place of collision. Reports have indicated casualties; official figures are not yet out.

England: Plane crashes into helicopter, casualties feared

The Bloodhound Supersonic Car, effectively a fighter jet on wheels, on Thursday kicked off a bid to roar into the record books by eventually reaching 1,000 mph (1,610 kmph).

Before a crowd of spectators, the blue and orange, a spacecraft-like vehicle with a high tail and long, rocket-shaped nose made two test runs down a 1.7-mile (2.7 km) track, attaining 200 mph (320 kmph) in about nine seconds.

&nbsp;It was the first public trial of the vehicle, powered by an EJ200 jet engine from a Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet, ahead of a world record bid in South Africa in the next few years.&nbsp;

Twenty years after setting the current world land speed record of 763 mph in the Bloodhound&#39;s predecessor, Andy Green, a British air force pilot, will aim to surpass his achievement.&nbsp;

&quot;We came here to say Bloodhound is Go! And that&#39;s exactly what we managed to demonstrate today,&quot; Green said after the test run in Newquay in the southwest of England.

&quot;The performance, the handling, the stability of it - I can&#39;t fault the car at all, it just worked brilliantly.&quot;

The Bloodhound project was launched in 2008 in London with the objective of designing a car able to reach speeds of 1,000 mph. About 30 million pounds ($39.49 million) has been invested in the project thanks for the support from the&nbsp;public and sponsors including Chinese auto group Geely and Rolls Royce among others.

The overall price tag could reach 60 million pounds.&nbsp;

If the roughly 13-meter(39-foot)-long vehicle achieves its target 1,000 mph, that would surpass the low-altitude speed record for aircraft of 994 mph, according to the Bloodhound project website.&nbsp; 
At 1,000 mph, it would cover a distance equivalent to over four football pitches every second.

The Bloodhound Supersonic Car, effectively a fighter jet on wheels, on Thursday kicked off a bid to roar into the record books by eventually reaching 1,000 mph (1,610 kmph)

The Bloodhound Supersonic Car, effectively a fighter jet on wheels, on Thursday kicked off a bid to roar into the record books by eventually reaching 1,000 mph (1,610 kmph). Before a crowd of spectators, the blue and orange, a spacecraft-like vehicle with a high tail and long, rocket-shaped nose made two test runs down a 1.7-mile (2.7 km) track, attaining 200 mph (320 kmph) in about nine seconds. It was the first public trial of the vehicle, powered by an EJ200 jet engine from a Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet, ahead of a world record bid in South Africa in the next few years. Twenty years after setting the current world land speed record of 763 mph in the Bloodhound's predecessor, Andy Green, a British air force pilot, will aim to surpass his achievement. "We came here to say Bloodhound is Go! And that's exactly what we managed to demonstrate today," Green said after the test run in Newquay in the southwest of England. "The performance, the handling, the stability of it - I can't fault the car at all, it just worked brilliantly." The Bloodhound project was launched in 2008 in London with the objective of designing a car able to reach speeds of 1,000 mph. About 30 million pounds ($39.49 million) has been invested in the project thanks for the support from the public and sponsors including Chinese auto group Geely and Rolls Royce among others. The overall price tag could reach 60 million pounds. If the roughly 13-meter(39-foot)-long vehicle achieves its target 1,000 mph, that would surpass the low-altitude speed record for aircraft of 994 mph, according to the Bloodhound project website. At 1,000 mph, it would cover a distance equivalent to over four football pitches every second.

'Bloodhound' car kicks off bid to speed into record books

Distraught Brazil players blamed poor finishing for the heart-breaking semifinal loss to England which ended their dreams of lifting the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time in 14 years.

England produced a masterclass performance to beat Brazil 3-1 in front of a shell-shocked crowd at the Salt Lake Stadium here last night to set up a first-ever all-European summit clash on October 28 at the same venue.

Three-time champions Brazil last won the title in 2003. They have gone without a title in the subsequent seven editions, including this one in India. They finished runners- up in 2005 and were fourth in 2011.

It was an emotional scene at the Salt Lake Stadium last night as several spectators among the 63,000-odd who turned up to watch the match cried after Brazil lost the match. Some players, including striker Lincoln, also broke down on the pitch.

Lincoln, another striker Paulinho and midfield maestro Alan Souza blamed the loss to lack of finishing touches in front of England goal.

&quot;We played a great game but we missed scoring opportunities. England could score from their opportunities and that is why they won. That was the difference in the match,&quot; Alan, the fulcrum of most of the Brazil attacks, said.

&quot;Our dream was to be the champion. We tried our best and we know we have reached our limits. We are sad but we have to now focus on the third-place match (against Mali) and try to win another game of football,&quot; said the pocket dynamo wonderkid, who is reported to have signed a deal to move to Real Madrid B team from his current side Palmeiras next season.

Asked if he was satisfied with his performance, he said, &quot;It was a good competition but I would have preferred to be perfect not just good and that could have happened if we would have won the title.&quot;

Star striker Paulinho agreed with Alan that shyness in front of England goal led to their loss in the semifinals.

&quot;We had our strategies for the match but we made mistakes mostly in front of goal. We did not score and also conceded goals. This was our mistake. Now we have to raise our heads up and think about the third-place match (against Mali on October 28),&quot; he said. 
&quot;

We feel happy about the support we got from the fans here. But we are sad because we could not give them back by winning the title,&quot; said the Vasco da Gama player who has scored three goals from six matches.

Lincoln said England were the better team and they deserved to reach their maiden final.

&quot;Me, Paulinho and the others could not score and that was why we lost. If you don&#39;t score you will lose. We were prepared for all situations but England were better than us,&quot; said the Flamengo player, who has scored three goals from six matches.

Asked why he cried after the match, Lincoln said, &quot;After the German match (quarterfinals) I was very excited but after the final whistle (against England) I cried because I was very upset.&quot;

Three-time champions Brazil last won the title in 2003.

Distraught Brazil players blamed poor finishing for the heart-breaking semifinal loss to England which ended their dreams of lifting the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time in 14 years. England produced a masterclass performance to beat Brazil 3-1 in front of a shell-shocked crowd at the Salt Lake Stadium here last night to set up a first-ever all-European summit clash on October 28 at the same venue. Three-time champions Brazil last won the title in 2003. They have gone without a title in the subsequent seven editions, including this one in India. They finished runners- up in 2005 and were fourth in 2011. It was an emotional scene at the Salt Lake Stadium last night as several spectators among the 63,000-odd who turned up to watch the match cried after Brazil lost the match. Some players, including striker Lincoln, also broke down on the pitch. Lincoln, another striker Paulinho and midfield maestro Alan Souza blamed the loss to lack of finishing touches in front of England goal. "We played a great game but we missed scoring opportunities. England could score from their opportunities and that is why they won. That was the difference in the match," Alan, the fulcrum of most of the Brazil attacks, said. "Our dream was to be the champion. We tried our best and we know we have reached our limits. We are sad but we have to now focus on the third-place match (against Mali) and try to win another game of football," said the pocket dynamo wonderkid, who is reported to have signed a deal to move to Real Madrid B team from his current side Palmeiras next season. Asked if he was satisfied with his performance, he said, "It was a good competition but I would have preferred to be perfect not just good and that could have happened if we would have won the title." Star striker Paulinho agreed with Alan that shyness in front of England goal led to their loss in the semifinals. "We had our strategies for the match but we made mistakes mostly in front of goal. We did not score and also conceded goals. This was our mistake. Now we have to raise our heads up and think about the third-place match (against Mali on October 28)," he said. " We feel happy about the support we got from the fans here. But we are sad because we could not give them back by winning the title," said the Vasco da Gama player who has scored three goals from six matches. Lincoln said England were the better team and they deserved to reach their maiden final. "Me, Paulinho and the others could not score and that was why we lost. If you don't score you will lose. We were prepared for all situations but England were better than us," said the Flamengo player, who has scored three goals from six matches. Asked why he cried after the match, Lincoln said, "After the German match (quarterfinals) I was very excited but after the final whistle (against England) I cried because I was very upset."

Distraught Brazil players blame poor finishing for semis loss

European champions Spain staved off a battling Mali to emerge 3-1 winners in a rip-roaring, action-packed semi-final contest to enter the summit clash of the FIFA U-17 World Cup at the D Y Patil Stadium, here today.

Spain scored twice in the first half, both the goals coming from their ebullient striker Abel Ruiz, and added one more through a headed goal by Ferran Torres to take a commanding 3-0 lead before Mali found the mark for the first and only time through their own top goal getter Lassana N&#39;Diaye in the 74th minute.

By virtue of this win, Spain has entered the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the fourth time after their first apperance in the title clash 2007.

Mali also had an attempt that appeared like a legitimate goal which was controversially not signalled in by the assistant referee, when they were trailing 0-2 before Spain scored their third goal to virtually shut off the contest although Mali fought hard till the end.

The victory by Spain after staving off a late fight-back by the African age group champions has, thus, piloted them into a summit clash against England at Kolkata on October 28.

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England got the better of South American champions Brazil 3-1 in the first semi-final.

Spain were the dominant force in the entire first half as they took a handy two-goal lead with their sharp-shooter Abel Ruiz finding the net on both occasions, the first one from the penalty spot in the 19th minute and the second with an on- the-run effort in the 45th minute.

Ruiz and Cesar Gelabert combined beautifully with promptings from the mid-field to tear apart the leaky Mali defense to shreds.

Spain clearly had the better share of the exchanges too and could have been 4-0 up but for an early brilliant save by Mali custodian Youssouf Koita and then a missed chance by Ruiz who took his tally to six goals in the tournament.

After Koita blocked a stiff left-footed volley by Sergio Gomez in the second minute, Gelabert side-stepped a couple of defenders only to shoot wide with his left foot.

Mali had their best chance of the first half in the eighth minute when their top goal getter, with five goals before today&#39;s match, Lassana Ndiaye, got a faint touch to the ball after being chased in his forward thrust by Spain&#39;s Hugo Guillamon, but the ball kissed the side netting.

Then came the opening goal of the match when Gelabert was brought down, as he moved into the box, by Mali defender Abdoulaye Diaby. Ruiz sent Koita the wrong way from the spot- kick to provide the European U-17 champions a 1-0 lead.

Mali fought back after falling into arrears as they made repeated raids on the rival area but some good defending by Spain and some wayward shot-making by the African champions denied them the equaliser.

Spain came close to scoring for the second time as a centre from the left wing by Mohammed Moukhliss was allowed to reach Ruiz who, however, shot wide on-the-run from close range.

Mali tried some long range shots and from one of those, Spain goalie Alvaro Fernandez brought off a diving save to deny Cheick Omar Douchare.

Just when it seemed that Spain would go in with a 1-0 advantage at half time came a counter attack off which Gelabert put a through ball for Ruiz to run forward and find the right corner of the net with a neat placement past Koita.

Mali then were denied a goal in controversial fashion.

A 40-yard pile-driver by Doucoure flew past Spanish goalie Fernandez and hit the underside of the cross bar and bounced on the ground before coming back into play which was headed out. But the ball seemed to have bounced inside the goal before rebounding into play, with the assistant referee not signalling it in.

Even as play continued the Mali bench rose as a whole to protest and after continuous shouting caught the attention of referee Ryuji Sato of Japan who, after remonstrating with the Mali bench, showed the yellow card to one of the support staff members for repeated back-chatting.

To rub more salt to the wounded of Mali came the third goal from Spain, once again following an attack from the wing as a high cross from the left by Gomez was headed in by an unmarked Ferran Torres.

After a short break for drinks, N&#39;Diaye caught the Spain defense napping and moved well into the box after hoodwinking a couple of defenders before slotting in with an angular effort to make it 3-1 with 16 minutes left on the clock.

Putting all their effort into attack Mali made another stiff effort but substitute Mamadou Traore&#39;s essay sailed over the bar. 
With time ticking away Spain made an all-out effort and denied Mali any further goals to sail into the final against fellow-European rivals England. PTI

England got the better of South American champions Brazil 3-1 in the first semi-final

European champions Spain staved off a battling Mali to emerge 3-1 winners in a rip-roaring, action-packed semi-final contest to enter the summit clash of the FIFA U-17 World Cup at the D Y Patil Stadium, here today. Spain scored twice in the first half, both the goals coming from their ebullient striker Abel Ruiz, and added one more through a headed goal by Ferran Torres to take a commanding 3-0 lead before Mali found the mark for the first and only time through their own top goal getter Lassana N'Diaye in the 74th minute. By virtue of this win, Spain has entered the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the fourth time after their first apperance in the title clash 2007. Mali also had an attempt that appeared like a legitimate goal which was controversially not signalled in by the assistant referee, when they were trailing 0-2 before Spain scored their third goal to virtually shut off the contest although Mali fought hard till the end. The victory by Spain after staving off a late fight-back by the African age group champions has, thus, piloted them into a summit clash against England at Kolkata on October 28. Spain were the dominant force in the entire first half × England got the better of South American champions Brazil 3-1 in the first semi-final. Spain were the dominant force in the entire first half as they took a handy two-goal lead with their sharp-shooter Abel Ruiz finding the net on both occasions, the first one from the penalty spot in the 19th minute and the second with an on- the-run effort in the 45th minute. Ruiz and Cesar Gelabert combined beautifully with promptings from the mid-field to tear apart the leaky Mali defense to shreds. Spain clearly had the better share of the exchanges too and could have been 4-0 up but for an early brilliant save by Mali custodian Youssouf Koita and then a missed chance by Ruiz who took his tally to six goals in the tournament. After Koita blocked a stiff left-footed volley by Sergio Gomez in the second minute, Gelabert side-stepped a couple of defenders only to shoot wide with his left foot. Mali had their best chance of the first half in the eighth minute when their top goal getter, with five goals before today's match, Lassana Ndiaye, got a faint touch to the ball after being chased in his forward thrust by Spain's Hugo Guillamon, but the ball kissed the side netting. Then came the opening goal of the match when Gelabert was brought down, as he moved into the box, by Mali defender Abdoulaye Diaby. Ruiz sent Koita the wrong way from the spot- kick to provide the European U-17 champions a 1-0 lead. Mali fought back after falling into arrears as they made repeated raids on the rival area but some good defending by Spain and some wayward shot-making by the African champions denied them the equaliser. Spain came close to scoring for the second time as a centre from the left wing by Mohammed Moukhliss was allowed to reach Ruiz who, however, shot wide on-the-run from close range. Mali tried some long range shots and from one of those, Spain goalie Alvaro Fernandez brought off a diving save to deny Cheick Omar Douchare. Just when it seemed that Spain would go in with a 1-0 advantage at half time came a counter attack off which Gelabert put a through ball for Ruiz to run forward and find the right corner of the net with a neat placement past Koita. Mali then were denied a goal in controversial fashion. A 40-yard pile-driver by Doucoure flew past Spanish goalie Fernandez and hit the underside of the cross bar and bounced on the ground before coming back into play which was headed out. But the ball seemed to have bounced inside the goal before rebounding into play, with the assistant referee not signalling it in. Even as play continued the Mali bench rose as a whole to protest and after continuous shouting caught the attention of referee Ryuji Sato of Japan who, after remonstrating with the Mali bench, showed the yellow card to one of the support staff members for repeated back-chatting. To rub more salt to the wounded of Mali came the third goal from Spain, once again following an attack from the wing as a high cross from the left by Gomez was headed in by an unmarked Ferran Torres. After a short break for drinks, N'Diaye caught the Spain defense napping and moved well into the box after hoodwinking a couple of defenders before slotting in with an angular effort to make it 3-1 with 16 minutes left on the clock. Putting all their effort into attack Mali made another stiff effort but substitute Mamadou Traore's essay sailed over the bar. With time ticking away Spain made an all-out effort and denied Mali any further goals to sail into the final against fellow-European rivals England. PTI

U-17 World Cup: Spain beat Mali, will play England in final

West Bromwich Albion has signed Scotland international Oliver Burke from Germany&#39;s RB Leipzig, the Premier League club said on Friday.

The 20-year-old winger joins Tony Pulis&#39;s squad on a five-year deal after featuring 25 times in the league last season for Leipzig, who finished runners-up to Bayern Munich.

Burke became the most expensive Scottish player in signing for the German side from Nottingham Forest for a reported 13 million pounds ($16.66 million) in August last year.

Local media said on Friday West Brom had shelled out around 15 million pounds to bring him back to England.

&quot;I feel like it is a time for me to move on and play more games,&quot; Burke said in a statement. &quot;I&#39;m here, I want to impress and I want my name to be first on the team sheet.&quot;

West Brom had shelled out around 15 million pounds to bring him back to England.

West Bromwich Albion has signed Scotland international Oliver Burke from Germany's RB Leipzig, the Premier League club said on Friday. The 20-year-old winger joins Tony Pulis's squad on a five-year deal after featuring 25 times in the league last season for Leipzig, who finished runners-up to Bayern Munich. Burke became the most expensive Scottish player in signing for the German side from Nottingham Forest for a reported 13 million pounds ($16.66 million) in August last year. Local media said on Friday West Brom had shelled out around 15 million pounds to bring him back to England. "I feel like it is a time for me to move on and play more games," Burke said in a statement. "I'm here, I want to impress and I want my name to be first on the team sheet."

West Brom signs Burke, now the most expensive Scottish player

Vernon Philander&#39;s unbeaten fifty revived South Africa,&nbsp;after Stuart Broad sparked a collapse that saw the Proteas lose four wickets in the last session of a see-saw first day of the second Test at Trent Bridge on Friday.

South Africa were 309 for six at stumps after returning captain Faf du Plessis won the toss.

Philander was 54 not out and recalled all-rounder Chris Morris,&nbsp;one of three changes to the side that lost the first of a four-Test campaign by 211 runs at Lord&#39;s last week, 23 not out.

Their unbroken seventh-wicket partnership was worth 74 runs with Philander, primarily a pace bowler, making his second fifty of the series.

South Africa had been 179 for two at tea, but they soon slumped to 235 for six.

The previously well set Quinton de Kock (68) and Hashim Amla (78) both fell to Broad as the fast bowler, who led England&#39;s attack with three wickets for 47 runs in 19 overs, struck on his Nottinghamshire home ground.

But conditions for batting improved as the day wore on, with grey clouds replaced by sunny blue skies at stumps.

&quot;The sun came out at the wrong time,&quot; Broad told Sky Sports.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s a pretty good pitch to bat on, but when there&#39;s cloud you feel in the game a little bit.&quot;

To the very first ball after tea, left-hander de Kock -- whose tally of 11 Test fifties but just three hundreds is an indication of a sometimes frustrating talent -- chased a wide Broad delivery and edged to former England captain Alastair Cook at first slip.

Amla eventually paid the price for repeatedly mis-hooking when such a shot off Broad found Mark Wood at long leg.

It was a careless way for an experienced batsman - this innings saw Amla become just the fourth South African to score 8,000 Test runs -- to get out.

Broad had now taken two wickets for three runs in 22 balls - some way short of his stunning eight for 15 in Australia&#39;s 60 all out when England clinched the Ashes in their last Test at Trent Bridge two years ago, but important all the same.

All-rounder Ben Stokes then took two for four in 11 balls.

Du Plessis (19) was well-caught left-handed down the legside by diving wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow off a thin glove.

The skipper reviewed but replays upheld the fine decision of on-field umpire Paul Reiffel.

But there was no doubt when Temba Bavuma (20) was caught behind off Stokes trying to leave the ball.

&#39;Fill a gap&#39;

De Kock had at least justified his promotion to number four in place of the dropped JP Duminy.

&quot;Faf asked where I would like to bat and I said that I would like to bat at four,&quot; wicket-keeper de Kock told reporters after what he said was an &quot;up and down day&quot;.

&quot;I&#39;ve always liked to bat high up but the team make-up has never allowed me to.

&quot;With this Test there were a few selection things that came up so I thought there was a gap there they might need me for.&quot;

Du Plessis, by his own admission, faced a &quot;tricky decision&quot; after winning the toss after not playing at Lord&#39;s following the birth of his first child.

Yet despite grey skies overhead and Trent Bridge&#39;s reputation for aiding swing bowling, he opted to bat first in the hope his top order could overcome a difficult first hour.

It looked a sound plan as South Africa lost just Dean Elgar, the stand-in skipper at Lord&#39;s, before lunch.

Amla went to a 93-ball fifty by driving left-arm spinner Liam Dawson for six.

Philander, again demonstrating his batting ability, pulled Broad for a resounding four that raised a fifty stand with Morris.

England were unchanged from the XI that marked Joe Root&#39;s first match as captain with a thumping win where the new skipper made 190 in the first innings.

All South Africa&#39;s batsmen wore black armbands in memory of the late mother of Proteas coach Russell Domingo, after she died recently following injuries sustained in a car crash.&nbsp;

Match report

Scoreboard at stumps on the first day of the second Test between England and South Africa at Trent Bridge on Friday:

South Africa 1st Innings

D. Elgar c Dawson b Anderson &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 6

H. Kuhn b Broad &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 34

H. Amla c Wood b Broad &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;78

Q. de Kock c Cook b Broad &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 68

F. du Plessis c Bairstow b Stokes &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 19

T. Bavuma c Bairstow b Stokes &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 20

V. Philander ot out &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;54

C. Morris not out &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 23

Extras (lb7) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 7&nbsp;

Total (6 wkts, 90 overs, 384 mins) &nbsp; &nbsp; 309

To bat: K Maharaj, M Morkel, D Olivier

Fall of wickets: 1-42 (Elgar), 2-66 (Kuhn), 3-179 (De Kock), 4-194 (Amla), 5-220 (Du Plessis), 6-235 (Bavuma)

Bowling: Anderson 20-4-68-1; Broad 19-4-47-3; Wood 17-3-61-0; Stokes 18-3-77-2; Dawson 7-1-26-0; Ali 8-1-21-0; Jennings 1-0-2-0

England: Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Gary Ballance, Joe Root (capt), Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Mark Wood

Toss: South Africa

Umpires: Simon Fry (AUS), Paul Reiffel (AUS)

TV umpire: S Ravi (IND)

Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL) 
&nbsp;

Vernon Philander's unbeaten 50 revived South Africa,?after Stuart Broad sparked a collapse that saw the Proteas lose 4 wickets

Vernon Philander's unbeaten fifty revived South Africa, after Stuart Broad sparked a collapse that saw the Proteas lose four wickets in the last session of a see-saw first day of the second Test at Trent Bridge on Friday. South Africa were 309 for six at stumps after returning captain Faf du Plessis won the toss. Philander was 54 not out and recalled all-rounder Chris Morris, one of three changes to the side that lost the first of a four-Test campaign by 211 runs at Lord's last week, 23 not out. Their unbroken seventh-wicket partnership was worth 74 runs with Philander, primarily a pace bowler, making his second fifty of the series. South Africa had been 179 for two at tea, but they soon slumped to 235 for six. The previously well set Quinton de Kock (68) and Hashim Amla (78) both fell to Broad as the fast bowler, who led England's attack with three wickets for 47 runs in 19 overs, struck on his Nottinghamshire home ground. But conditions for batting improved as the day wore on, with grey clouds replaced by sunny blue skies at stumps. "The sun came out at the wrong time," Broad told Sky Sports. "It's a pretty good pitch to bat on, but when there's cloud you feel in the game a little bit." To the very first ball after tea, left-hander de Kock -- whose tally of 11 Test fifties but just three hundreds is an indication of a sometimes frustrating talent -- chased a wide Broad delivery and edged to former England captain Alastair Cook at first slip. Amla eventually paid the price for repeatedly mis-hooking when such a shot off Broad found Mark Wood at long leg. It was a careless way for an experienced batsman - this innings saw Amla become just the fourth South African to score 8,000 Test runs -- to get out. Broad had now taken two wickets for three runs in 22 balls - some way short of his stunning eight for 15 in Australia's 60 all out when England clinched the Ashes in their last Test at Trent Bridge two years ago, but important all the same. All-rounder Ben Stokes then took two for four in 11 balls. Du Plessis (19) was well-caught left-handed down the legside by diving wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow off a thin glove. The skipper reviewed but replays upheld the fine decision of on-field umpire Paul Reiffel. But there was no doubt when Temba Bavuma (20) was caught behind off Stokes trying to leave the ball. 'Fill a gap' De Kock had at least justified his promotion to number four in place of the dropped JP Duminy. "Faf asked where I would like to bat and I said that I would like to bat at four," wicket-keeper de Kock told reporters after what he said was an "up and down day". "I've always liked to bat high up but the team make-up has never allowed me to. "With this Test there were a few selection things that came up so I thought there was a gap there they might need me for." Du Plessis, by his own admission, faced a "tricky decision" after winning the toss after not playing at Lord's following the birth of his first child. Yet despite grey skies overhead and Trent Bridge's reputation for aiding swing bowling, he opted to bat first in the hope his top order could overcome a difficult first hour. It looked a sound plan as South Africa lost just Dean Elgar, the stand-in skipper at Lord's, before lunch. Amla went to a 93-ball fifty by driving left-arm spinner Liam Dawson for six. Philander, again demonstrating his batting ability, pulled Broad for a resounding four that raised a fifty stand with Morris. England were unchanged from the XI that marked Joe Root's first match as captain with a thumping win where the new skipper made 190 in the first innings. All South Africa's batsmen wore black armbands in memory of the late mother of Proteas coach Russell Domingo, after she died recently following injuries sustained in a car crash. Match report Scoreboard at stumps on the first day of the second Test between England and South Africa at Trent Bridge on Friday: South Africa 1st Innings D. Elgar c Dawson b Anderson 6 H. Kuhn b Broad 34 H. Amla c Wood b Broad 78 Q. de Kock c Cook b Broad 68 F. du Plessis c Bairstow b Stokes 19 T. Bavuma c Bairstow b Stokes 20 V. Philander ot out 54 C. Morris not out 23 Extras (lb7) 7 Total (6 wkts, 90 overs, 384 mins) 309 To bat: K Maharaj, M Morkel, D Olivier Fall of wickets: 1-42 (Elgar), 2-66 (Kuhn), 3-179 (De Kock), 4-194 (Amla), 5-220 (Du Plessis), 6-235 (Bavuma) Bowling: Anderson 20-4-68-1; Broad 19-4-47-3; Wood 17-3-61-0; Stokes 18-3-77-2; Dawson 7-1-26-0; Ali 8-1-21-0; Jennings 1-0-2-0 England: Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Gary Ballance, Joe Root (capt), Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Mark Wood Toss: South Africa Umpires: Simon Fry (AUS), Paul Reiffel (AUS) TV umpire: S Ravi (IND) Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)

Philander rallies South Africa after Broad double on Day 1 of second Test

India and Pakistan take each other on today at the ICC Women&#39;s Cricket World Cup being played in England. &nbsp;

India has so far won their two opening games.&nbsp;

They beat&nbsp;England in the opening game by 35 runs and then beat the West Indies by seven wickets.

Pakistan on the other hand lost both their opening games -- to South Africa and England.&nbsp;

So the pressure will be on Pakistan; they need to win.&nbsp;

Furthermore, the two countries have so far played each other nine times at the World Cup -- with India winning every single time. Which is not going to help ease the pressure.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/18950434_1973580952872733_8856228822119350272_n(1)-20170702064725.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
The Indian women&#39;s cricket team. (Instagram)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/18878951_460592437652372_1147924073934749696_n(1)-20170702064721.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
The Pakistan women&#39;s cricket team. (Instagram)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Pakistan understands that.&nbsp;

&quot;Playing against India there is always pressure. It is a big game but I am very hopeful of doing much better against India. We beat India in India in the last T20. I believe in my spinners that they will bounce back and take wickets, and we will win the match. Ayesha batted well and gained confidence, which is important before the game against India,&quot; said Pakistan all-rounder Asmavia.

&quot;We are looking forward to the next game, whole Pakistan. In Pakistan they say that you have to win against India, it is very important. We took some positives (from the game against England). Our fast bowling did well, Ayesha played well. But there are many areas to improve, especially fielding, which is letting us down. If we field well, we can beat any team,&quot; she added.

The Indian skipper Mithali Raj responded to that with: &quot;We need to work on our catching, fielding is very crucial and it can win us matches. I&#39;m very pleased with the way the girls responded with crucial run-outs against the West Indies even though there were a couple of lapses in the field (drops). We still have a couple of games more before we can look to the semi-finals and looking at how Sri Lanka has played and how Pakistan has played, every match is going to be crucial for us.&quot;

Social media meanwhile has been abuzz with excitement. See tweets below:&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CT17?src=hash">#CT17</a> has come to an end past week. Now its another big event for women&#39;s cricket <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICCWomensWorldCup?src=hash">#ICCWomensWorldCup</a> starting today with the group stages. <a href="https://t.co/C7UDDdWtaY">pic.twitter.com/C7UDDdWtaY</a>
&mdash; Hari Charan (@H_Charan03) <a href="https://twitter.com/H_Charan03/status/878440609849032704">June 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MitaliRaj?src=hash">#MitaliRaj</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BestOfLuck?src=hash">#BestOfLuck</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash">#TeamIndia</a> for today&#39;s match against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash">#Pakistan</a>-<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICCWomen?src=hash">#ICCWomen</a>&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup2017?src=hash">#WorldCup2017</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICCWomensWorldCup?src=hash">#ICCWomensWorldCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/DQ8g99tyOc">pic.twitter.com/DQ8g99tyOc</a>
&mdash; @Swti (@swati_aku_) <a href="https://twitter.com/swati_aku_/status/881410823251386369">July 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Wishes to the <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCIWomen">@BCCIWomen</a> fr the world cup. Hope they will do their best nd bring the cup 2 our country. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICCWomensWorldCup?src=hash">#ICCWomensWorldCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BleedBlue?src=hash">#BleedBlue</a> ????????
&mdash; Agilan Agilselvam (@Agilselvam) <a href="https://twitter.com/Agilselvam/status/878447839524732928">June 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The two teams face off at 2.30 pm&nbsp;in Derby.

India and Pakistan have played each other nine times at the World Cup. India has won every single time

India and Pakistan take each other on today at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup being played in England. India has so far won their two opening games. They beat England in the opening game by 35 runs and then beat the West Indies by seven wickets. Pakistan on the other hand lost both their opening games -- to South Africa and England. So the pressure will be on Pakistan; they need to win. Furthermore, the two countries have so far played each other nine times at the World Cup -- with India winning every single time. Which is not going to help ease the pressure. The Indian women's cricket team. (Instagram) × The Pakistan women's cricket team. (Instagram) × Pakistan understands that. "Playing against India there is always pressure. It is a big game but I am very hopeful of doing much better against India. We beat India in India in the last T20. I believe in my spinners that they will bounce back and take wickets, and we will win the match. Ayesha batted well and gained confidence, which is important before the game against India," said Pakistan all-rounder Asmavia. "We are looking forward to the next game, whole Pakistan. In Pakistan they say that you have to win against India, it is very important. We took some positives (from the game against England). Our fast bowling did well, Ayesha played well. But there are many areas to improve, especially fielding, which is letting us down. If we field well, we can beat any team," she added. The Indian skipper Mithali Raj responded to that with: "We need to work on our catching, fielding is very crucial and it can win us matches. I'm very pleased with the way the girls responded with crucial run-outs against the West Indies even though there were a couple of lapses in the field (drops). We still have a couple of games more before we can look to the semi-finals and looking at how Sri Lanka has played and how Pakistan has played, every match is going to be crucial for us." Social media meanwhile has been abuzz with excitement. See tweets below: #CT17 has come to an end past week. Now its another big event for women's cricket #ICCWomensWorldCup starting today with the group stages. pic.twitter.com/C7UDDdWtaY — Hari Charan (@H_Charan03) June 24, 2017 × #MitaliRaj #BestOfLuck #TeamIndia for today's match against #Pakistan-#ICCWomen's #WorldCup2017#ICCWomensWorldCup pic.twitter.com/DQ8g99tyOc — @Swti (@swati_aku_) July 2, 2017 × Wishes to the @BCCIWomen fr the world cup. Hope they will do their best nd bring the cup 2 our country. #ICCWomensWorldCup #BleedBlue ???????? — Agilan Agilselvam (@Agilselvam) June 24, 2017 × The two teams face off at 2.30 pm in Derby.

ICC Women's World Cup: India take on Pakistan today

Prime Minister Theresa&nbsp;May&nbsp;on Tuesday said talks with Northern Ireland&#39;s DUP about a deal to support her minority government had been &quot;productive&quot;, and confirmed that Brexit negotiations would begin next week.

May&nbsp;met with Northern Ireland&#39;s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) earlier on Tuesday to thrash out a deal that would see the DUP support&nbsp;May&nbsp;in government after she failed to win an outright majority at an election last week.&nbsp;

&quot;What we&#39;re doing in relation to the talks that we&#39;re holding, the productive talks we&#39;re holding with the Democratic Unionist Party, is ensuring that it is possible to, with their support, give the stability to the UK government that I think is necessary at this time,&quot;&nbsp;May&nbsp;told a news conference in Paris following a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

&quot;I confirmed to President Macron that the timetable for the Brexit negotiation remains on course and will begin next week.&quot;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

May?met with the?Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) on Tuesday to discuss?a deal that would see the DUP support?her in government after she failed to win a?majority in last week's election?

Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday said talks with Northern Ireland's DUP about a deal to support her minority government had been "productive", and confirmed that Brexit negotiations would begin next week. May met with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) earlier on Tuesday to thrash out a deal that would see the DUP support May in government after she failed to win an outright majority at an election last week. "What we're doing in relation to the talks that we're holding, the productive talks we're holding with the Democratic Unionist Party, is ensuring that it is possible to, with their support, give the stability to the UK government that I think is necessary at this time," May told a news conference in Paris following a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. "I confirmed to President Macron that the timetable for the Brexit negotiation remains on course and will begin next week."

May says minority government talks 'productive', Brexit negotiation starts next week

It&rsquo;s going to be a long night as the UK goes to the polls for its snap 2017 general election. So should you stay up all night or take a democracy nap? Here are the key moments to look out for and the seats which might indicate early on whether Theresa May has secured the thumping majority she originally envisaged.

The polls close at 10 pm

The doors will shut and ballot boxes will be sealed up and transported to one of the counting centres across the UK. In some places, this involves travelling a significant distance, so delays can occur. In Scotland, helicopters have been used to transfer boxes from remote islands to the mainland.

Counting clerks will then work through the night to count the votes in most cases. If you&rsquo;re feeling tired by this point, remember that many of these officials will have begun work at 6.30am (or earlier) setting up the poll.

Will there be an exit poll and will it be reliable?

IPSOS-Mori&rsquo;s exit poll will be reported on the BBC and Sky News at 10 pm as soon as polls close.

At the last election, the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32428768">exit poll</a> caused quite a stir. Announced on the BBC at 10 pm, it forecast that the Conservatives would be the largest party. It took an immediate bashing with Paddy Ashdown infamously stating that he would &ldquo;eat his hat&rdquo; if it was correct. He had to eat his hat.

As it turned out, that poll was much closer to the eventual reality than polls that took place before the election. The exit poll is, therefore, a crucial clue as to how things will unfold.

We should nevertheless take exit polls with a pinch of salt. They&rsquo;ve been wrong before, as they were in <a href="http://www.conservativehome.com/video/2012/04/the-1992-election-bbc-exit-poll-predicts-a-hung-parliament.html">1992</a>. They are based on samples which may not be representative of the whole population, but exit polls do have the advantage of asking people what they really did, rather than what they intend to do at some point in the future.

When might we expect local results?

A local returning officer is responsible for the counts in their area and declarations will drip through during the early hours of the morning.

<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/does-sunderland-always-declare-election-results-first/">Sunderland</a> traditionally works hard to make its announcement first. Constituents in Houghton &amp; Sunderland South might hear their result as early as 11 pm. The result in Sunderland Central generally comes an hour later. After that, things will go quiet. Then there will be a rush of results between 3 am and 5 am. A handful of constituencies will be as late as noon on Friday.

The distribution of estimated declaration times

<figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/172325/area14mp/file-20170605-16877-1nfxak5.png"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/172325/width754/file-20170605-16877-1nfxak5.png" /></a>

<figcaption>When to expect results, based on information from the Press Association. Author provided</figcaption>
</figure>

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

When will we know who has won?

Ah, that&rsquo;s the million dollar question. &ldquo;Winning&rdquo; usually means getting 326 seats. This would allow the party leader to have a majority of the seats in parliament. They would then be able to form a government and pass policies without needing the support of another party.

There won&rsquo;t be enough declarations for a party to have won 326 seats until 4 am. And as many seats will go in different directions, it will be much later before a party has won enough constituencies to form a government.

But political scientists and the media will be identifying underlying trends from the early results to get a sense of the overall outcome. Armed with information about the underlying demographic and political makeup of constituencies, we can expect changes in voting patterns to be similar in similar constituencies (on average).

My University of East Anglia colleague Chris Hanretty estimated that Remain had only a 0.03 probability of winning the Brexit referendum by 2:03 am. It was zero by 3 am. That was long before the politicians (and media channels) cottoned on to what was unfolding. Watch for such forecasts again.

When will we know who the next PM is?

If there is decisive victory with one party winning an overall majority, then that party leader will be quickly confirmed as prime minister on Friday morning. 
But if no party reaches the magic 326 seats, then there might be some wait. Negotiations will begin between parties about whether they could form a coalition to take them over that threshold. In 2010, it took five days for the Cameron-Clegg coalition to form. There was some surprise in Britain that this process took so long. But in some countries it takes much longer &ndash; 541 days after the <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261379411001430">Belgian elections</a> which took place at around the same time.

And what if Theresa May wins a majority &ndash; but a much less handsome one than David Cameron in 2015? Given that a landslide was originally predicted for this election, she might even face an internal coup.

Could any seats give an early indication?

If the Conservative party shows signs of winning seats off other parties then they are on track to stay in government. Chris Hanretty has helpfully identified a list of those predicted gains for the Conservatives.

The table below lists the first 25 of these to be called. If they turn blue as expected, Theresa May will be on course to stay in power with an enhanced majority (and 365 seats, according the <a href="http://www.electionforecast.co.uk">electionforecast.co.uk</a> predictions).

<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="1000" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" msallowfullscreen="msallowfullscreen" oallowfullscreen="oallowfullscreen" scrolling="yes" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Ptot9/1/" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="100%"></iframe>So should I stay up &hellip; or go to bed?

<img alt="The Conversation" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/78822/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" width="1" />The hard-core psephologist stays up and stays the course. The more sensible, normal person stays up for the 10 pm exit poll, necks a hot chocolate and gets some kip. Be up early for 4 am and you should still have plenty to see. But then again, British politics has been rather unpredictable lately.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/to-sleep-or-not-to-sleep-everything-you-need-to-know-about-ge2017-election-night-78822">original article</a>.

Key moments to look out for and the seats which might indicate early on whether Theresa May has secured the thumping majority she originally envisaged

It’s going to be a long night as the UK goes to the polls for its snap 2017 general election. So should you stay up all night or take a democracy nap? Here are the key moments to look out for and the seats which might indicate early on whether Theresa May has secured the thumping majority she originally envisaged. The polls close at 10 pm The doors will shut and ballot boxes will be sealed up and transported to one of the counting centres across the UK. In some places, this involves travelling a significant distance, so delays can occur. In Scotland, helicopters have been used to transfer boxes from remote islands to the mainland. Counting clerks will then work through the night to count the votes in most cases. If you’re feeling tired by this point, remember that many of these officials will have begun work at 6.30am (or earlier) setting up the poll. Will there be an exit poll and will it be reliable? IPSOS-Mori’s exit poll will be reported on the BBC and Sky News at 10 pm as soon as polls close. At the last election, the exit poll caused quite a stir. Announced on the BBC at 10 pm, it forecast that the Conservatives would be the largest party. It took an immediate bashing with Paddy Ashdown infamously stating that he would “eat his hat” if it was correct. He had to eat his hat. As it turned out, that poll was much closer to the eventual reality than polls that took place before the election. The exit poll is, therefore, a crucial clue as to how things will unfold. We should nevertheless take exit polls with a pinch of salt. They’ve been wrong before, as they were in 1992. They are based on samples which may not be representative of the whole population, but exit polls do have the advantage of asking people what they really did, rather than what they intend to do at some point in the future. When might we expect local results? A local returning officer is responsible for the counts in their area and declarations will drip through during the early hours of the morning. Sunderland traditionally works hard to make its announcement first. Constituents in Houghton & Sunderland South might hear their result as early as 11 pm. The result in Sunderland Central generally comes an hour later. After that, things will go quiet. Then there will be a rush of results between 3 am and 5 am. A handful of constituencies will be as late as noon on Friday. The distribution of estimated declaration times When to expect results, based on information from the Press Association. Author provided When will we know who has won? Ah, that’s the million dollar question. “Winning” usually means getting 326 seats. This would allow the party leader to have a majority of the seats in parliament. They would then be able to form a government and pass policies without needing the support of another party. There won’t be enough declarations for a party to have won 326 seats until 4 am. And as many seats will go in different directions, it will be much later before a party has won enough constituencies to form a government. But political scientists and the media will be identifying underlying trends from the early results to get a sense of the overall outcome. Armed with information about the underlying demographic and political makeup of constituencies, we can expect changes in voting patterns to be similar in similar constituencies (on average). My University of East Anglia colleague Chris Hanretty estimated that Remain had only a 0.03 probability of winning the Brexit referendum by 2:03 am. It was zero by 3 am. That was long before the politicians (and media channels) cottoned on to what was unfolding. Watch for such forecasts again. When will we know who the next PM is? If there is decisive victory with one party winning an overall majority, then that party leader will be quickly confirmed as prime minister on Friday morning. But if no party reaches the magic 326 seats, then there might be some wait. Negotiations will begin between parties about whether they could form a coalition to take them over that threshold. In 2010, it took five days for the Cameron-Clegg coalition to form. There was some surprise in Britain that this process took so long. But in some countries it takes much longer – 541 days after the Belgian elections which took place at around the same time. And what if Theresa May wins a majority – but a much less handsome one than David Cameron in 2015? Given that a landslide was originally predicted for this election, she might even face an internal coup. Could any seats give an early indication? If the Conservative party shows signs of winning seats off other parties then they are on track to stay in government. Chris Hanretty has helpfully identified a list of those predicted gains for the Conservatives. The table below lists the first 25 of these to be called. If they turn blue as expected, Theresa May will be on course to stay in power with an enhanced majority (and 365 seats, according the electionforecast.co.uk predictions). So should I stay up … or go to bed? The hard-core psephologist stays up and stays the course. The more sensible, normal person stays up for the 10 pm exit poll, necks a hot chocolate and gets some kip. Be up early for 4 am and you should still have plenty to see. But then again, British politics has been rather unpredictable lately. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Everything you need to know about UK election

Soldiers will be deployed to key sites in Britain to boost security as the country raised its terror threat to the highest level of &quot;critical&quot; following a suicide attack in Manchester that killed 22 people, including children.

Police on Tuesday said they believed British-born Salman Abedi, aged 22, carried out Britain&#39;s deadliest bombing in nearly 12 years and Prime Minister Theresa May said another attack could be imminent.

U.S. security sources, citing British intelligence officials, said Abedi was born in Manchester to parents of Libyan origin.

May said it was possible a wider group was linked to the bombing at a crowded concert hall, prompting the increase in security a little more than two weeks before a national election.

An independent body which sets the threat level recommended it be raised to &quot;critical&quot; from &quot;severe&quot; for the first time since June 2007.

&quot;This means that their assessment is not only that an attack remains highly likely but that a further attack may be imminent,&quot; May said in a televised statement from her Downing Street Office after a meeting of the government&#39;s crisis response committee.

&quot;Armed police officers responsible for duties such as guarding key sites will be replaced by members of the armed forces ... You might also see military personnel deployed at certain events, such as concerts and sports matches.&quot;

Britain&#39;s top anti-terrorism officer Mark Rowley said events would only go ahead when it was safe to do so and the decision to raise the threat level had been made on a &quot;precautionary basis&quot; due to gaps in police knowledge while the investigation continues.

He told reporters he hoped that, as has previously been the case, the level would not stay at critical for a long period.

The Times newspaper reported that Abedi had arrived back in Britain from Libya recently. He is believed to have travelled by train from London before the attack, U.S. officials said.

The attacker set off his improvised bomb as crowds streamed out of the Manchester Arena after a pop concert by Ariana Grande, a U.S. singer especially popular with teenage girls.

Islamic State, now being driven from territories in Syria and Iraq by Western-backed armed forces, claimed responsibility for what it called a revenge attack against &quot;Crusaders.&quot; But there appeared to be contradictions in its account of the operation.

FRANTIC SEARCHES

Witnesses related the horror of the blast, which unleashed a stampede just as the concert ended at Europe&#39;s largest indoor arena, full to its capacity of 21,000.

&quot;We ran and people were screaming around us and pushing on the stairs to go outside and people were falling down, girls were crying, and we saw these women being treated by paramedics having open wounds on their legs ... it was just chaos,&quot; said Sebastian Diaz, 19. &quot;It was literally just a minute after it ended, the lights came on and the bomb went off.&quot;

A video posted on Twitter showed fans, many of them young, screaming and running from the venue. Dozens of parents frantically searched for their children, posting photos and pleading for information on social media.

Singer Grande, 23, said on Twitter she was devastated: &quot;broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don&#39;t have words.&quot; She returned to the United States on Tuesday, Britain&#39;s Daily Mail newspaper reported, as questions lingered over whether she would continue her European tour.

The attack was the deadliest in the UK since four British Muslims killed 52 people in suicide bombings on London&#39;s transport system in 2005. But it will have reverberations far beyond British shores.

Attacks in cities including Paris, Nice, Brussels, St Petersburg, Berlin and London have shocked Europeans already anxious over security challenges from mass immigration and pockets of domestic Islamist radicalism. Islamic State has repeatedly called for attacks as retaliation for Western involvement in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.

While claiming responsibility on its Telegram account, the group appeared to contradict the police description of a suicide bomber. It suggested explosive devices were placed &quot;in the midst of the gatherings of the Crusaders&quot;.

&quot;What comes next will be more severe on the worshippers of the cross,&quot; the Telegram posting said.

It did not name the bomber, as it usually does in attacks it has ordered, and appeared also to contradict a posting on another Islamic State account, Amaq, which spoke of &quot;a group of attackers&quot;. That reference, however, was later removed.

&quot;DEPRAVED&quot;

May described the attack as an act of &quot;sickening cowardice&quot;. Campaigning for the June 8 election, which opinion polls suggest May&#39;s Conservative Party is on track to win, has been suspended as a mark of respect.

May spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and several other foreign leaders on Tuesday about the attack, her spokesman said. She also visited the police headquarters and a children&#39;s hospital in Manchester.

The White House said Trump had agreed with May during their telephone conversation that the attack was &quot;particularly wanton and depraved&quot;.

Macron and senior French ministers walked to the British embassy in Paris to sign the condolence book.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it &quot;will only strengthen our resolve to ... work with our British friends against those who plan and carry out such inhumane deeds&quot;.

The U.N. Security Council condemned &quot;the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attack&quot; and expressed solidarity with Britain in the fight against terrorism.

Queen Elizabeth held a minute&#39;s silence at a garden party at Buckingham Palace in London.

Manchester remained on high alert, with additional armed police drafted in. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said more police had been ordered onto the streets of the British capital.

Police raided a property in the Manchester district of Fallowfield where they carried out a controlled explosion.

On Tuesday evening thousands of people attended a vigil in central Manchester in sombre but defiant mood.

&quot;There&#39;s hard times again in these streets of our city, but we won&#39;t take defeat and we don&#39;t want your pity, because this is the place where we stand strong together with a smile on our face, Mancunians forever,&quot; local poet Tony Walsh said in a poem he read to the crowd that drew loud cheers and applause.

British police do not routinely carry firearms, but London police said extra armed officers would be deployed at this weekend&#39;s soccer cup final at Wembley and rugby at Twickenham. Security would be reviewed also for smaller events.

In March, a British-born convert to Islam ploughed a car into pedestrians on London&#39;s Westminster Bridge, killing four people before stabbing to death a police officer who was on the grounds of parliament. The man was shot dead at the scene.

In 2015, Pakistani student Abid Naseer was convicted in a U.S. court of conspiring with al Qaeda to blow up the Arndale shopping centre in the centre of Manchester in April 2009.

(Reuters)

Prime Minister Theresa May said another attack could be imminent

Soldiers will be deployed to key sites in Britain to boost security as the country raised its terror threat to the highest level of "critical" following a suicide attack in Manchester that killed 22 people, including children. Police on Tuesday said they believed British-born Salman Abedi, aged 22, carried out Britain's deadliest bombing in nearly 12 years and Prime Minister Theresa May said another attack could be imminent. U.S. security sources, citing British intelligence officials, said Abedi was born in Manchester to parents of Libyan origin. May said it was possible a wider group was linked to the bombing at a crowded concert hall, prompting the increase in security a little more than two weeks before a national election. An independent body which sets the threat level recommended it be raised to "critical" from "severe" for the first time since June 2007. "This means that their assessment is not only that an attack remains highly likely but that a further attack may be imminent," May said in a televised statement from her Downing Street Office after a meeting of the government's crisis response committee. "Armed police officers responsible for duties such as guarding key sites will be replaced by members of the armed forces ... You might also see military personnel deployed at certain events, such as concerts and sports matches." Britain's top anti-terrorism officer Mark Rowley said events would only go ahead when it was safe to do so and the decision to raise the threat level had been made on a "precautionary basis" due to gaps in police knowledge while the investigation continues. He told reporters he hoped that, as has previously been the case, the level would not stay at critical for a long period. The Times newspaper reported that Abedi had arrived back in Britain from Libya recently. He is believed to have travelled by train from London before the attack, U.S. officials said. The attacker set off his improvised bomb as crowds streamed out of the Manchester Arena after a pop concert by Ariana Grande, a U.S. singer especially popular with teenage girls. Islamic State, now being driven from territories in Syria and Iraq by Western-backed armed forces, claimed responsibility for what it called a revenge attack against "Crusaders." But there appeared to be contradictions in its account of the operation. FRANTIC SEARCHES Witnesses related the horror of the blast, which unleashed a stampede just as the concert ended at Europe's largest indoor arena, full to its capacity of 21,000. "We ran and people were screaming around us and pushing on the stairs to go outside and people were falling down, girls were crying, and we saw these women being treated by paramedics having open wounds on their legs ... it was just chaos," said Sebastian Diaz, 19. "It was literally just a minute after it ended, the lights came on and the bomb went off." A video posted on Twitter showed fans, many of them young, screaming and running from the venue. Dozens of parents frantically searched for their children, posting photos and pleading for information on social media. Singer Grande, 23, said on Twitter she was devastated: "broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words." She returned to the United States on Tuesday, Britain's Daily Mail newspaper reported, as questions lingered over whether she would continue her European tour. The attack was the deadliest in the UK since four British Muslims killed 52 people in suicide bombings on London's transport system in 2005. But it will have reverberations far beyond British shores. Attacks in cities including Paris, Nice, Brussels, St Petersburg, Berlin and London have shocked Europeans already anxious over security challenges from mass immigration and pockets of domestic Islamist radicalism. Islamic State has repeatedly called for attacks as retaliation for Western involvement in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq. While claiming responsibility on its Telegram account, the group appeared to contradict the police description of a suicide bomber. It suggested explosive devices were placed "in the midst of the gatherings of the Crusaders". "What comes next will be more severe on the worshippers of the cross," the Telegram posting said. It did not name the bomber, as it usually does in attacks it has ordered, and appeared also to contradict a posting on another Islamic State account, Amaq, which spoke of "a group of attackers". That reference, however, was later removed. "DEPRAVED" May described the attack as an act of "sickening cowardice". Campaigning for the June 8 election, which opinion polls suggest May's Conservative Party is on track to win, has been suspended as a mark of respect. May spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and several other foreign leaders on Tuesday about the attack, her spokesman said. She also visited the police headquarters and a children's hospital in Manchester. The White House said Trump had agreed with May during their telephone conversation that the attack was "particularly wanton and depraved". Macron and senior French ministers walked to the British embassy in Paris to sign the condolence book. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it "will only strengthen our resolve to ... work with our British friends against those who plan and carry out such inhumane deeds". The U.N. Security Council condemned "the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attack" and expressed solidarity with Britain in the fight against terrorism. Queen Elizabeth held a minute's silence at a garden party at Buckingham Palace in London. Manchester remained on high alert, with additional armed police drafted in. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said more police had been ordered onto the streets of the British capital. Police raided a property in the Manchester district of Fallowfield where they carried out a controlled explosion. On Tuesday evening thousands of people attended a vigil in central Manchester in sombre but defiant mood. "There's hard times again in these streets of our city, but we won't take defeat and we don't want your pity, because this is the place where we stand strong together with a smile on our face, Mancunians forever," local poet Tony Walsh said in a poem he read to the crowd that drew loud cheers and applause. British police do not routinely carry firearms, but London police said extra armed officers would be deployed at this weekend's soccer cup final at Wembley and rugby at Twickenham. Security would be reviewed also for smaller events. In March, a British-born convert to Islam ploughed a car into pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge, killing four people before stabbing to death a police officer who was on the grounds of parliament. The man was shot dead at the scene. In 2015, Pakistani student Abid Naseer was convicted in a U.S. court of conspiring with al Qaeda to blow up the Arndale shopping centre in the centre of Manchester in April 2009. (Reuters)

UK raises threat level from severe to critical

British Prime Minister Theresa May will press her case on Monday for a strong union in Scotland, using a visit to staff working on international aid to say &quot;there is no limit to what we can do&quot; when Britain works together.

May is battling to keep the United Kingdom together after Britain&#39;s vote to leave the European Union revealed deep divisions, with England and Wales voting for Brexit, while Scotland and Northern Ireland supported staying in the bloc.

Just days before the British leader launches the formal divorce procedure with the EU, May wants to try to stem demands in Scotland for a new independence referendum by promising to get a Brexit deal that will suit all parts of the country.

Due to visit staff from the Department for International Development in East Kilbride in southern Scotland before meeting First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, May will also say Britain will not turn its back on the world as it negotiates Brexit.

&quot;Indeed, we are going to take this opportunity to forge a more global Britain. The closest friend and ally with Europe, but also a country that looks beyond Europe to build relationships with old friends and new allies alike,&quot; she will say, according to excerpts of a speech released by her office.

Referencing British support for programmes in Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Syria and Afghanistan, May will say &quot;UK Aid is a badge of hope for so many around the world&quot;.

&quot;And it says this: That when this great union of nations &ndash; England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland &ndash; sets its mind on something and works together with determination, we are an unstoppable force,&quot; she said.

May is a fierce unionist and hopes to stall plans by Sturgeon to hold a new referendum on independence in late 2018 or early 2019 after the country voted against breaking away in 2014 by 55 to 45 per cent.

A debate in the Scottish parliament before voting on Sturgeon&#39;s proposal was suspended last week when an attacker, later identified as British-born Khalid Masood, ploughed his car into pedestrians and tried to force his way into parliament in London, killing four. He was shot dead.

That debate is due to resume on Tuesday.

On Monday May will appeal to a sense of history and shared values to make her case for a strong union in Scotland, saying Britain has a &quot;proud shared heritage&quot;.

&quot;And on that foundation we have built a country where we share the challenges that we face, and bring all the expertise, ingenuity and goodwill we share across this union to bear to tackle them,&quot; she will say.

&quot;So as Britain leaves the European Union, and we forge a new role for ourselves in the world, the strength and stability of our union will become even more important.&quot;

(Reuters)

May is battling to keep the United Kingdom together: England and Wales voted to leave the EU but Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay

British Prime Minister Theresa May will press her case on Monday for a strong union in Scotland, using a visit to staff working on international aid to say "there is no limit to what we can do" when Britain works together. May is battling to keep the United Kingdom together after Britain's vote to leave the European Union revealed deep divisions, with England and Wales voting for Brexit, while Scotland and Northern Ireland supported staying in the bloc. Just days before the British leader launches the formal divorce procedure with the EU, May wants to try to stem demands in Scotland for a new independence referendum by promising to get a Brexit deal that will suit all parts of the country. Due to visit staff from the Department for International Development in East Kilbride in southern Scotland before meeting First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, May will also say Britain will not turn its back on the world as it negotiates Brexit. "Indeed, we are going to take this opportunity to forge a more global Britain. The closest friend and ally with Europe, but also a country that looks beyond Europe to build relationships with old friends and new allies alike," she will say, according to excerpts of a speech released by her office. Referencing British support for programmes in Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Syria and Afghanistan, May will say "UK Aid is a badge of hope for so many around the world". "And it says this: That when this great union of nations – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – sets its mind on something and works together with determination, we are an unstoppable force," she said. May is a fierce unionist and hopes to stall plans by Sturgeon to hold a new referendum on independence in late 2018 or early 2019 after the country voted against breaking away in 2014 by 55 to 45 per cent. A debate in the Scottish parliament before voting on Sturgeon's proposal was suspended last week when an attacker, later identified as British-born Khalid Masood, ploughed his car into pedestrians and tried to force his way into parliament in London, killing four. He was shot dead. That debate is due to resume on Tuesday. On Monday May will appeal to a sense of history and shared values to make her case for a strong union in Scotland, saying Britain has a "proud shared heritage". "And on that foundation we have built a country where we share the challenges that we face, and bring all the expertise, ingenuity and goodwill we share across this union to bear to tackle them," she will say. "So as Britain leaves the European Union, and we forge a new role for ourselves in the world, the strength and stability of our union will become even more important." (Reuters)

British PM Theresa May to press for stronger union on Scotland visit

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