16 November 2012 Last updated at 09:58 GMT Help
Friday, 16 November 2012
Grayson targets two new signings
Essex coach Paul Grayson wants to sign two new players after identifying areas that he believes need strengthening. He told BBC Essex : "We'd like to bring an overseas batsman in for the start of the season." "We've got five bowlers but we'd like another one. We're hoping to do a deal with someone by the end of the week." Essex expect to be without Ravi Bopara, Owais Shah and Ryan ten Doeschate at the start of next season because of the Indian Premier League. "We're speaking to a batsman at the moment that doesn't play IPL cricket. He's an international player, it would be nice to do something pretty quickly," Grayson added. Meanwhile, he has backed Essex batsman Alastair Cook to succeed as captain of the England Test side, ahead opf the start of their series in India. Cook has taken over from Andrew Strauss following the latter's retirement and Grayson is confident he can handle the extra burden. "I see it being no problem, his record in the last couple of years has been outstanding in Test cricket. "I think you'll find his career statistics will go from strength to strength for the next few years," he said.
Glos downbeat on Cowan's return
Gloucestershire director of cricket John Bracewell has admitted it is unlikely Ed Cowan will return as their overseas player next season. The club had hoped the 30-year-old Australian would re-sign after enjoying a brief stint at Nevil Road last term. But after hitting a maiden Test century against South Africa in Brisbane, they expect Cowan to be part of next summer's Ashes series in England. "We're obviously thinking about plan B," Bracewell told BBC Gloucestershire. "Him scoring 138 at the Gabba didn't help plan A." Cowan, who made his Test debut last December, appeared in three County Championship matches for Gloucestershire last season, scoring 147 runs as they finished bottom of Division Two. Bracewell had hoped Cowan would become captain following Alex Gidman's decision to step down from the role. But he said: "We think we need a captain consistently though the season. "Having someone miss eight-to-ten weeks of the season would be unfair on the players." Bracewell confirmed negotiations with a replacement had already started and the player would be a "good fit" for the club. "We are working hard to find a solution to that but it's difficult, mainly because of work permits. If you are eligible for a work permit then usually you are involved in international cricket," he added. We have a couple of options up our sleeves, which we are thinking seriously about."
Finn will miss first India Test
Venue: Sardar Patel Stadium, AhmedabadDate: 15-19 November 2012Start: 04:00 GMT Coverage: Listen to Test Match Special's ball-by-ball coverage on BBC 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 long wave and online; text commentary on the BBC Sport website, tablets and mobiles; highlights and analysis podcast after close of play
England paceman Steve Finn has not recovered from a thigh strain in time for Thursday's first Test with India in Ahmedabad.
England paceman Steve Finn has not recovered from a thigh strain in time for Thursday's first Test with India in Ahmedabad.
Finn tested his thigh strain last weekend but will now not be risked having missed Tuesday's net practice.
England captain Alastair Cook confirmed on Wednesday that the bowler would not be ready in time.
Stuart Broad, who recently sustained a bruised heel, was able to bowl at full speed in Tuesday's session.
Finn cast a forlorn and frustrated figure watching from the sidelines as his team-mates continued their preparations in earnest. It would be too much of a gamble to field both Finn and Broad together without them both coming through stringent tests.
The vice-captain practised as scheduled, bowling six overs off his full run in two spells."Broady's pretty good, he always says he only needs 10 overs before a Test so we'll see, he's recovered well, the heel's feeling well so I'm certain he'll be ready and raring to go," England wicketkeeper Matt Prior told BBC Sport.
Yorkshire all-rounder Tim Bresnan is the most likely replacement for Finn, who was injured in the opening match of the tour against India A at the end of last month.
Bresnan is England's leading wicket-taker on the tour thus far, with nine wickets from the two first-class matches.
Stuart Meaker and Graham Onions are other options to join James Anderson in the seam bowling ranks.
Surrey's Meaker was called into the squad as cover and was the more successful of the two in the final warm-up match against Haryana, taking 3-74 in the first innings and 1-19 in the second, while Onions was wicketless in the first innings and took 1-34 in the second.
"I'll be doing everything I can to show the coach and captain what I can do and prove that I am ready to perform if selected. Winning a series in India is one of the toughest tasks in cricket. To do it we'll need the batsmen to score 500 runs and the bowlers to keep the run rate down, create pressure and take wickets. That is the goal and everyone in the squad believes we can do it." Prior, who has recovered from a debilitating sickness bug suffered during the match against Haryana, said of the first part of the Indian tour, which comprises four Tests and two Twenty20 internationals: "I've put my stall out for this to be a pretty physically exhausting four-and-a-half weeks. "My role in the team to keep everyone going is something I enjoy but it's not just one guy doing it, as a team we've been very good at it, and that's the important thing, that all 11 guys are out there buzzing around and helping the bowlers out." Meanwhile, Cook has praised the attitude of Kevin Pietersen who is back in the team after his much-publicised absence, and the captain says he is pleased to have the batsman back in the fold. "I wanted all of the world-class players that we have to be available for selection," said Cook. "The issues which happened had to be dealt with properly and I think we have got the best solution. We now have a hungry KP who is desperate to put a few things right. "He made a couple of mistakes but he has put his hand up about those and now we have to move on as a side. I think the way he has come back in on this tour has been fantastic and his attitude and work ethic and the way the lads have dealt with it has been really good. "Now it is time to draw a line under it and stop talking about and see what he does best, which is scoring those runs which no-one else can do."
England (from): Alastair Cook (capt), Nick Compton, Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wk), Jonny Bairstow, Samit Patel, Graeme Swann, Monty Panesar, James Anderson, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Graham Onions, Stuart Meaker.
India (from): Mahendra Dhoni (capt, wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Murali Vijay.
England suffer at hands of Sehwag
Virender Sehwag smashed a rapid century as India enjoyed the better of the opening day of the first Test against England in Ahmedabad.
Sehwag made 117 off 117 balls, while Cheteshwar Pujara added an elegant 98 not out as the hosts closed on 323-4.
Off-spinner Graeme Swann single-handedly kept England in contention, claiming all four wickets to fall.
But the tourists were hampered by some poor fielding, with four catches missed.
"It was a good toss to win. I didn't expect England to have a better day than they did as sometimes you might only get two wickets on a day like this. Swann bowled very well. The seamers looked fairly straightforward - I won't say innocuous - but the ball hardly went off the straight."
The most costly came when Pujara, on eight, got a leading edge off Tim Bresnan. James Anderson rushed in from mid-on, only for the ball to loop over his head.That and a tickle down the leg side from Sehwag off Anderson that was dropped by diving wicketkeeper Matt Prior were the only chances England's trio of pace bowlers created on a slow, low pitch that is already taking turn.
Indeed, the signs of deterioration and the fact the impressive Swann got through 32 overs may cause new captain Alastair Cook to rue the decision to leave out left-arm spinner Monty Panesar.
Samit Patel provided England with a second spinning option but, with the Nottinghamshire all-rounder largely ineffective, he will have to justify his selection through weight of runs, particularly with the tourists set to bat last.
Patel did, however, play his part in tandem with Swann as England managed to apply some pressure in the evening, as India's scoring rate slowed almost to a standstill. Only 73 runs came in the final session, in marked contrast to the morning when Sehwag took advantage of England indiscipline. India batsman Sachin Tendulkar is playing his 191st Test, 23 years to the day since his debut against Pakistan Losing what could prove to be a vital toss in his first match since being appointed Test captain, Cook may not have expected his pace bowlers to extract any movement, but would have been disappointed by their inability to find any consistency of line or length. Too often Sehwag was allowed to flay through the off side, before highlighting the slowness of the track by lofting Bresnan over long-on for six. Dropped by Prior on 80, he completed his first Test century for two years off only 90 balls, the seventh time he has reached three figures in the longest form of the game at better than a run a ball. Gautam Gambhir was nowhere near as fluent, struggling against Swann in particular. He offered a catch and stumping chance to Prior off the same Swann delivery - both were missed - but later that over he was bowled as he tried to force through the off side, ending an opening stand worth 134. "On the evidence of today, England might see a lot more of Pujara in the future. It's been India's day, right from winning the toss. England fought back well in the last session but India will be extremely happy with 323-4 on a wearing wicket." His dismissal brought Pujara to the crease and, except for the chance in Anderson's direction, he and Sehwag compiled a second-wicket partnership of 90 with some ease. Such was their progress, it came as a shock when Sehwag, needlessly attempting to sweep, was bowled, giving Swann his 194th Test wicket and taking him past Jim Laker as England's most successful off-spinner. Shortly after, Sachin Tendulkar fell in similarly rash fashion, caught at deep midwicket minutes before tea. A combination of those wickets and improved England bowling saw India grind to a halt after the interval, with Virat Kohli taking 30 balls to get off the mark. He benefited from a drop off Swann, as replays showed the ball was grounded when Jonathan Trott juggled and fell at slip. Shortly after, Kohli was bowled by one from Swann that turned sharply through the gate as England looked like they might end the day with a flourish. However, Pujara, joined by Yuvraj Singh, stood firm and England will have to make swift inroads with a ball that is only four overs old if they are to avoid being batted out of the match.
Listen to Jonathan Agnew and Geoffrey Boycott's analysis of each day's play on the Test Match Special podcast.England need Panesar, says Dravid
Venue: Sardar Patel Stadium, AhmedabadDate: 15-19 November 2012Start: 04:00 GMT Coverage: Listen to Test Match Special's ball-by-ball coverage on BBC 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 long wave and online; text commentary on the BBC Sport website, tablets and mobiles; highlights and analysis podcast after close of playIndia great Rahul Dravid says England should pick spinner Monty Panesar ahead of Samit Patel to boost their chances of winning the four-Test series. 
England look set to field part-time spinner Patel at number six to balance the side and support Graeme Swann.
But Dravid told BBC Sport: "Bits and pieces cricketers haven't had much of an impact in India.
"Monty has bowled well in India in the past and can keep one end tight so I would like him to play."
Left-arm spinner Panesar has taken 142 wickets from 42 Tests, including 11 in India, and has a first-class bowling average of 30.32.Fellow left-armer Patel averages 38.71 with the ball in first-class cricket and has three wickets from two Tests but can bat at number six to give England the option of fielding an extra bowler.
He has featured in all three of England's warm-up matches on tour, scoring one century and two fifties.
Panesar played two of the matches but was not used in tandem with first-choice spinner Swann, who flew to the United Kingdom last week to visit his sick daughter before returning to India in time for Thursday's series-opener in Ahmedabad.
Dravid, who scored 13,288 runs at an average of 52.31 in 164 Tests for India, added: "I would definitely play the two frontline spinners.
"Indians are extremely good players of spin and they are not going to get out to part-time bowlers.
"I guess England have a problem because they don't have that genuine all-rounder to bat at six like Andrew Flintoff, but if the tracks look like they might turn then I would play both the specialist spinners."
England have not won in India since 1985 and have lost three of their last four series there.
1984-85: India 1-2 England (5 Tests)
1992-93: India 3-0 England (3 Tests)
2001-02: India 1-0 England (3 Tests)
2005-06: India 1-1 England (3 Tests)
2008-09: India 1-0 England (2 Tests)
Their only Test victory in that time came in Mumbai in 2006 when Flintoff's England bowled Dravid's India out for 100 on the final day to draw the series 1-1.England's hero back then was Hampshire off-spinner Shaun Udal, which Dravid says is further evidence of the match-winning potential of spinners on the subcontinent.
"As we saw in Mumbai, the wickets can deteriorate quite appreciably," said Dravid, who will be a BBC Test Match Special summariser during the Test series.
"It will be critical to see how many runs they can score and see if they can give Swann or Panesar a chance in that fourth innings to have a go at some of the young, inexperienced Indian batsmen."
Former England spinner John Emburey disagreed with Dravid, arguing that Patel could be a success on subcontinental pitches.
He cited England's 1-1 draw with Sri Lanka earlier this year, when England's only victory came after Panesar had been dropped.
"Although India has got this reputation for turning pitches, we've never really benefited from playing two spinners on those pitches and neither have many other countries," said Emburey, who claimed eight wickets in five Tests in India between 1980 and 1993.
"When Swann and Panesar played together in Sri Lanka we lost one and drew one and when we played one spinner we ended up winning that match and drawing the series.
"I'll be doing everything I can to show the coach and captain what I can do and prove that I am ready to perform if selected.
Winning a series in India is one of the toughest tasks in cricket. To do it we'll need the batsmen to score 500 runs and the bowlers to keep the run rate down, create pressure and take wickets.
That is the goal and everyone in the squad believes we can do it."
"England are worried about getting runs on the board and I think they will go in with Samit Patel as a second spinner. I think he will be very good in India. He is a good player of spin and scores runs quickly."England whitewashed an India side featuring Dravid 4-0 at home last year to usurp them at number one in the world Test rankings.
But Dravid, who retired from international cricket in March, is playing down talk of revenge.
"I don't think cricket teams should be focusing on trying to get revenge," he said.
"Obviously it was a huge disappointment to lose in England last year. It should have been a great contest and we didn't play particularly well.
"India would like to prove that they are still a formidable side at home. They will back the fact that they have got quality spinners and batsmen especially for these conditions and look to beat England purely on skill."
Dravid believes England's performance in the opener in Ahmedabad could set the tone for the whole series.
"If England can do well in the first one it will set up a great series but if they let India run away with it, then they could be in trouble," he said.
"I think all four Test matches will have results and tip India to win 3-1."
Dravid will be working as a summariser for BBC Test Match Special during the Test series.
England must limit India - Swann
Graeme Swann warned his England team-mates that "we need to keep India below 450" after the hosts made 323-4 on day one of the first Test in Ahmedabad. Virender Sehwag smashed 117 and Cheteshwar Pujara an unbeaten 98 as Swann (4-85) took all four wickets.
"We will need quick wickets in the morning," said off-spinner Swann.
"It's been India's day, right from winning the toss. I thought England fought back well in the last session but India will be extremely happy with 323-4 on a wearing wicket. Pujara will have a bit of a sleepless night on 98 - he'll have the expectation of coming back tomorrow and completing his hundred."
"We will be batting last on this [pitch] - that's what happens when you lose the toss. They have two very good spinners so we will have to bowl well."Opener Sehwag's 117-ball innings made him the the subject of England's lunchtime team talk.
"It was a tough first session, and Sehwag was superb for the first two hours, but after that we bounced back well," said Swann.
"We said that we knew how he [Sehwag] can bat, but that we couldn't let the game drift away.
"I thought we did that by bowling straighter and with more discipline, and I thought we won that [afternoon] session."
In dismissing Sehwag, Swann broke Jim Laker's record of 193 Test wickets to become England's most successful off-spinner.
"It is a proud moment," said the 33-year-old. "I'm always saying I'm not one for stats. But when people told me I was near to Jim Laker, I was genuinely excited.
"When you're growing up, famous names from the game, you never even dream of emulating them - let alone going past their record."
Sehwag's 23rd Test ton, made off just 90 deliveries, was his first for two years but his seventh in the longest form of the game to come at better than a run a ball.
"This one was due," said Sehwag. "I'm very pleased to have scored one after a long time and at the right time, in the first innings of the first Test."
Despite India's strong position, Sehwag warned that the lifeless nature of the pitch will make it hard for the hosts to take 20 England wickets.
"If you try to block, it's difficult to get out," he said. "The wicket is very slow. It's turning, but not sharply."
Listen to Jonathan Agnew and Geoffrey Boycott's analysis of each day's play on the Test Match Special podcast.Cessford looks to add discipline
Worcestershire's new signing Graeme Cessford says he will use his experience from the Royal Air Force to help bring discipline to New Road. Bowler Cessford has taken a year out of serving as an RAF Corporal to play for the Division Two side. "I'm hopefully going to bring some of my background to the club," the 29-year-old told BBC Hereford & Worcester. "I can bring a bit of discipline, which [director of cricket] Steve Rhodes has asked me to do." Cessford appeared four times for the club's second XI last season, and has previous experience of Minor Counties cricket with Northumberland. And despite having no previous experience of the professional game, he says his team-mates have helped him settle in quickly at New Road after signing for the 2013 season.
"Everybody is really friendly down there which is one of the main things I noticed in the first few games I was playing, everyone was really helpful," he said.
"It will a be a tough decision next year to see what I will be doing next year."
Surrey bowler Dunn extends deal
Surrey fast bowler Matthew Dunn has signed a one-year extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until the end of 2014.
The 20-year-old made two first team appearances last season.
Surrey team director Chris Adams said: "Matt is a very exciting young talent and I am delighted he has committed his future to Surrey.
"We all know his future potential and I very much look forward to working with him to achieve this."
Opener Gayle creates Test history
Chris Gayle has become the first player ever to hit a six off the first ball of a Test match.
The West Indies left hander hit Bangladesh debutant Sohag Gazi over long-on in the first Test in Dhaka.
It was the 2,051st Test in history since the first match in 1877 but Gayle's luck eventually ran out when Gazi had the opener caught for 24.
Gayle has now smashed a total of 84 sixes in his Test career to reach joint sixth on the all-time list.
The 33-year-old Jamaican is known for his flamboyant style, and his seven Twenty20 centuries are more than any other player in that form of the game.
West Indies closed the first day of the Test on 361-4 thanks to 123 not out from Shivnarine Chanderpaul and 117 from Kieran Powell.
Katich to join Lancashire in 2013
Lancashire have signed former Australia Test opener Simon Katich as their overseas player for the 2013 season. 
"I'd like to thank everyone at Hampshire Cricket for all they have done for me. I leave with many great friends and fond memories.
The 37-year-old, who had a spell with the Red Rose in 2010, won the FL t20 and CB40 with Hampshire last season.
He considered a return to Australia, but has decided to continue his playing career at Old Trafford.
"I'm sure Lancashire will be looking to head straight back up to Division One. I'm determined to play a big part in this happening," said Katich.
"I'd like to thank everyone at Hampshire Cricket for all they have done for me. I leave with many great friends and fond memories. "I enjoyed working with [head coach] Peter Moores and [captain] Glen Chapple in 2010. Their professionalism and attention to detail was particularly impressive.
"I'm hopeful that, with my experience, I can be a senior member of the squad and help a relatively young group in having a successful season in all forms of the game.
"Next year is a huge year at Old Trafford in that they're hosting another Ashes Test. Having played in an Ashes Test there before in 2005, I know it's going to be a really special time for everyone involved."
Moores added: "It is great news to have secured a player of Simon's quality and his influence will be felt both on and off the field.
"We have an emerging group of Lancashire players who will benefit greatly from his experience and knowledge, and his ability as a player is beyond question."
Lancashire were relegated from the top division of the Championship in September, less than 12 months after winning the title.
Katich is a veteran of the English county game, having also played for Derbyshire, Durham and Yorkshire.
A dogged left-handed batsman and useful spin bowler, Katich made his Test debut for Australia in 2001 and played 56 times for his country, scoring more than 4,000 runs at an average just above 45.
His last Test appearance came during the 2010-11 home Ashes series against England, an Achilles injury curtailing his involvement.
Katich will be available for the entire 2013 season and joins former England paceman Kabir Ali, who has also agreed a move to Old Trafford.
India dominate struggling England
First Test, day two, Ahmedabad
India 521-8 dec v England 41-3
A Cheteshwar Pujara double hundred and three late wickets put India in complete control of the first Test against England in Ahmedabad. After India declared on 521-8, England lost debutant Nick Compton, night-watchman James Anderson and Jonathan Trott to close on 41-3. Pujara earlier made an unbeaten 206, with Yuvraj Singh adding 74. "We've had 18 overs and already we're talking about the follow-on, which tells us everything. At the moment, it's not looking good. When you bat first on slow pitches, you know it's going to turn - and you can practice as much as you want, but when you're out in the middle with four men around the bat chirping away, it's a completely different game." Graeme Swann claimed 5-144, while James Anderson's strike was the only wicket in a combined 70 overs of pace.
In contrast, on a slow pitch showing signs of sharp turn in the evening session, India opened the bowling with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who combined with Pragyan Ojha to inflict late damage on the tourists.Compton looked relatively untroubled before Ashwin ripped one between bat and pad, and Anderson offered a catch to short leg off slow left-armer Ojha. When Ashwin also had Trott taken off bat and pad, England had lost three wickets for four runs in 13 balls, once again wilting in the face of quality spin bowling on the subcontinent. If India had an early grasp of how to take 20 wickets on a slow, low pitch, the realisation dawned too late on England, who left out Monty Panesar and selected Swann as their only specialist slow bowler.
Cheteshwar Pujara became only the fifth Indian to score a double century against England:
224 - Vinod Kambli, Mumbai, 1993
222 - Gundappa Viswanath, Chennai, 1982
217 - Rahul Dravid, Oval, 2002
206* - Cheteshwar Pujara, Ahmedabad, 2012
203* - Nawab of Pataudi, Delhi, 1964
In total, the tourists sent down 90 overs of spin, with the part-time off-breaks of Kevin Pietersen, who had Ashwin caught behind, managing a breakthrough before any of the three frontline seamers. Anderson's reward for being the most impressive paceman was having Zaheer Khan caught by Trott at gully, while Stuart Broad was innocuous and Tim Bresnan bowled only 19 overs over two days. Indeed, with Samit Patel struggling badly with his length, England's only real threat came from Swann, just as it did on the first day. The off-spinner fully deserved his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests, completed when Mahendra Singh Dhoni gloved the ball on to his stumps in attempting a sweep. Before that, even Swann came in for punishment in a fifth-wicket stand of 130 between Pujara and Yuvraj. Left-handed Yuvraj looked especially keen to hit England's most dangerous bowler out of the attack, lofting a straight drive down the ground for six in the fifth over of the day, which began with India 323-4."This has been a copybook Test for India so far: win the toss, bat long, declare sometime after tea on the second day and put the tourists in under pressure with men round the bat. Cook will play his own, hawk-like game tomorrow but we'll wait and see with Pietersen. I think he'll be fairly aggressive and worth watching. England need a significant innings from at least two batsmen. All the impetus is with India."
He dished out similar treatment to Patel, hitting the left-armer in the same direction for another maximum as India did not lose a wicket in the morning session for the second day in succession. Patel had his revenge in unlikely circumstances just after lunch, when a waist-high full toss that Yuvraj could have hit anywhere found Swann at long-on. After the more circumspect Pujara survived a good shout for lbw and flashed an edge past slip - both off Swann - he did not offer a chance, regularly working singles through the leg side and rocking on to the back foot to pull when Patel dropped short. The elegant right-hander was still at the crease when captain Dhoni declared 40 minutes after tea, leaving England 18 overs to negotiate. That task looked within their grasp until Ashwin accounted for Compton, sparking the collapse that required Pietersen to accompany captain Alastair Cook to the close. Listen to Jonathan Agnew and Geoffrey Boycott's analysis of each day's play on the Test Match Special podcast.
Cricket 15 November 2012 Last updated at 16:09 GMT Arrest warrant issued for Iraqi vice-president
Iraq’s vice president is a wanted man.Authorities in Baghdad have issued an arrest warrant for Sunni Muslim Tareq al-Hashemi.He is under investigation for suspected links to assassinations and bombings.Observers say the issuing of the warrant is likely to fuel sectarian tensions in Iraq, only days after the last US troops withdrew from the country.They also say there is now a risk that a power-sharing deal between rival Shi’ite, Sunni and Kurdish blocs could unravel.Hashemi has not responded to the allegations against him. It is reported that he is currently in Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region in the north.
More about: Iraq, Politics, Terrorism Copyright © 2012 euronewsBritish government backs major bank shake-up
It is the UK’s biggest financial shake-up for years.Britain plans to reform its banks, forcing them to set up barriers between their retail operations and riskier investment arms.The aim of better protecting ordinary customers in any future crisis was outlined in parliament by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne.“It is important to know that this ring fence will not prevent banks from failing but it does mean that if banks get into trouble those elements of the banking system that are vital for families, businesses and for the whole economy can continue without resorting to taxpayers,” he said.A government-appointed independent commission made the recommendations. Leading banks have lobbied against them, citing additional costs and red tape. London’s Mayor Boris Johnson also has concerns.“By all means rebalance the British economy, but don’t kill the financial goose that lays the golden egg for loads of people who are on very modest incomes but who depend on financial services,” he said.The government says taxpayers should not have to bail out banks in the future. But it also wants to ensure regulations do not harm London’s standing as a leading financial centre. Prime Minister David Cameron vetoed EU treaty changes this month to protect the City.
More about: Banking, Finance, United Kingdom Copyright © 2012 euronewsEgypt's army defends methods against opponents
Four days of violence between Egyptian security forces and opponents of army rule have left at least 13 people dead. International criticism has been levelled at the army’s handling of the crisis, while at the same time activists are suspicious of some of those appearing to be protesting with them.“What I am seeing here are covered faces that I have never seen before, I believe they are paid agents,’‘ claimed one protester.Another said:“The solution is the immediate handover of power and the trial of everyone who is responsible for all this.” Defending the methods against protesters, Major General Adel Emara, a member of the Egyptian ruling military council, blamed what he called “evil forces”.“There was a unique model of Egyptian people cooperating with their own army at the beginning of the revolution but this cooperation has irritated others who have their own agenda,” he said. “Their real aim is to topple the state.”To support their position, the army released footage purporting to show peaceful protesters destroying Cairo’s scientific centre.But having arrested scores of others and used what many see as excessive force, Egyptians remain shocked by the tactics of the army.More about: Egypt, Police violence, Protests in Egypt, United Nations Copyright © 2012 euronews
Deadly clashes continue at Egypt's Tahrir Square
An army-erected brick wall has become a central point in the running battles around Cairo’s Tahrir Square.Overnight, protesters tried to tear down the barrier to reach parliament. For the fifth consecutive day, opponents of continued army rule have clashed with security forces. Protesters claim soldiers are using live rounds to chase them away.t least 13 people are now said to have been killed since Friday but some of those who have taken part say the latest attack produced more casualties.Signs of violence are clearly visible in the day but it is at night when the disturbances erupt. Authorities have blamed what they call “evil forces” of trying to sow the seeds of chaos and say soldiers have shown “self-restraint” despite provocation.More about: Clashes and riots, Police violence, Unrest in Egypt Copyright © 2012 euronewsView the original article here
Kim Jong-il's body lies in state in glass coffin
The body of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is now lying in state in Pyongyang with his third son, the expected new leader Kim Jong-un, among those paying tribute.Releasing still photographs, state media said the younger Kim, hailed as ‘a great person born of heaven’, was joined by party, government and military officials. No other heads of state are being invited to next week’s funeral, described by the regime as an internal affair. In the meantime, 11 days of mourning continue for Kim Jong-il, said to have died on Saturday of a heart attack aged 69.The authenticity of the unrestrained outpourings of public grief in North Korea may be open to question. But Kim, the so-called ‘Dear Leader’ who ruled for 17 years, was revered at home by a propaganda machine that turned him into a demi-god.
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Analyst’s view of N. Korea’s uncertain future
North Korea weeps for its ‘Dear Leader’
World powers hope for better ties with N. Korea
More about: Ceremony, Death, Kim Jong-il, North Korea Copyright © 2012 euronews
More than 100 die as Syria signs Arab deal
While Syria was signing an Arab League peace plan aimed at ending months of bloodshed, more than 100 people died in various incidents across the country.According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 60 army deserters were shot dead. Forty civilians were also killed in the continuing crackdown.The deal signed in Cairo paves the way for Arab League observers to monitor Syria’s compliance with a deal which calls for troops to be withdrawn from city centres and political prisoners to be freed. An advance party is due on the ground this week.But as unconfirmed footage showed the latest funeral in Homs, Syria’s opposition claimed President Bashar al-Assad has no intention of honouring the agreement.More about: Arab League, Bashar al-Assad, Police violence, Syria, Victims Copyright © 2012 euronews
North Korea weeps for its "Dear Leader"
North Koreans bowed in silence and reflected in the early morning mist as they tried to come to terms with the loss of the man they called their “Dear leader”.
Kim Jong-il’s death from a heart attack on Saturday has shocked the nation.
An 11-day mourning period is currently being observed.
One mourner said: “Today as well as yesterday the Korean people have been coming here to Mansu Hill in deep sorrow at the loss of the benevolent father of our nation with the infinite feeling of longing.”
A photo of Kim with his son and successor Kim Jong Un behind him has been published and is believed to be his last public appearance before his death.
The out pouring of grief continues in the streets and at work. North Korea’s media has given clear backing to Kim’s third son as the next leader suggesting the succession has a chance of progressing smoothly.
In the mean time Kim Jong-il’s funeral is scheduled for December 28, no other heads of state are to be invited, with the regime describing it purely as an internal affair.
More about: Death, Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-un, North Korea Copyright © 2012 euronewsPhilippines declares calamity as storm kills 1,000
The Philippines has declared a state of national calamity after last week’s flash floods and landslides.More than 1,000 people are said to have died and tens of thousands more made homeless. The national disaster has also sparked a health crisis over the treatment of the dead to prevent disease from spreading.Most of the casualties have been in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in the Mindanao region.The disaster agency says more than 338,000 people in 13 provinces have been affected by typhoon Washi, with nearly 43,000 others still in evacuation centres.
More about: Flood, Funerals, Hurricanes, Victims Copyright © 2012 euronewsUS calls for Iran to free alleged CIA spy
The United States has called for Iran to immediately release an American of Iranian descent accused of being a CIA spy.Amir Mirzai Hekmati has been shown on Iranian state TV, making what it called a confession, saying US intelligence services had trained him.Hekmati oined the US army ten years ago, the report said, showing pictures of him in what seemed to be American military bases. This is Tehran’s latest claim of success in a spying war with Washington.Hekmati’s family deny he had any involvement in espionage, which can be punishable by death under Iran’s Islamic law.
More about: Espionage, Iran, USA Copyright © 2012 euronewsWorld powers hope for better ties with N. Korea
Major powers have been reassessing their positions after the death of North Korea’s leader. A new man at the helm of the maverick state could provide opportunities to re-engage Pyongyang over the nuclear issue. But the US and Japan remain cautious.US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke alongside her Japanese counterpart, Koichiro Gemba.“We both share a common interest in a peaceful and stable transition in North Korea, as well as in ensuring regional peace and stability. We reiterate our hope for improved relations with the people of North Korea, and remain deeply concerned about their well-being,” she said.Russian expert Mikhail Titarenko, Director of Russia’s Institute of Far Eastern Studies, sees an opportunity for Moscow to reach out to North Korea through trade and says:“This regime is stable at the moment. There will not be any fight for power in the near future. North Korea, you might say, is concerned about becoming much too dependent on China. And this as a counterbalance, means they will be developing relations with Russia.”Indeed Russia was one of the few countries that the late Kim Jong-il visited. Although Moscow has been a critic of the Kim dynasty, that has not prevented cooperation; Russia has already said it is ready to work with the new regime.
More about: Death, Hillary Clinton, Kim Jong-il, North Korea, Review of the year 2011, Russia Copyright © 2012 euronewsHagler warns Flintoff of danger
By Matt Slater BBC sports news reporter Marvin Hagler has warned former cricketer Andrew Flintoff of the dangers he will face after deciding to switch to boxing. Ex-England captain Flintoff makes his ring debut against American Richard Dawson in Manchester on 30 November. "You should do boxing first and then cricket," said former middleweight world champion Hagler, nicknamed Marvelous during his career. "At least you're not getting punched around anymore. I just say good luck to him and keep your head down and your hands up." Hagler, who switched to acting after his retirement from the ring in 1988, added: "Changing from being a fighter to being an actor is a lot different from changing to being a fighter from a being a cricket player. "But a lot of people have other dreams and want to give being a fighter a shot. I've seen this happen with actors before - and fighters wanting to be actors. That's the way the world is and everybody has to do what they want in life." The 58-year-old's words of encouragement are in contrast to what many in British boxing circles have had to say about the star of England's celebrated 2005 Ashes victory. Much of the criticism has centred on the fact that Flintoff's late career change is the subject of a three-part television documentary. Promoter Frank Warren dismissed it as "car crash television", while the British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion David Price said Flintoff, 34, "could get hurt". Frank Maloney, the manager who led Lennox Lewis to the top, went even further, describing the decision to award the 34-year-old with a boxing licence as "a scandal". Flintoff, however, rejects these claims and insists his motives are honourable. Speaking at a preview screening of the first episode of the documentary, which will be broadcast a week before the fight, he said: "You couldn't go through this for a TV stunt. "If I was looking for publicity I would have picked something easier. "I appreciate that people want to protect their sport, I'd be the same with cricket. But I'm hoping this is something where boxing is celebrated. "It's not my intention to cheapen the sport or show it up." Born 23 May 1954 in Newark, New Jersey, USA Southpaw WBA & WBC middleweight champion (1980-87), IBF middleweight champion (1983-87) Won 62 of 67 professional fights (52 by KO), lost only three (all on points), two draws Named the third greatest middleweight of all time in 1999 by The Associated Press Having struggled with his weight during his cricket career, Flintoff claims to have lost 45lbs over the last three months thanks to trainer Shane McGuigan's fitness regime. McGuigan's father Barry, the former WBA featherweight champion, has overseen Flintoff's boxing tuition and he is adamant the project is worthwhile. "To say it cheapens boxing is complete nonsense. That's a case of the green-eyed monster, I'm afraid," said McGuigan. "We're promoting the sport in a very positive way." That may well prove to be true, but it is all a far cry from the days when the likes of Hagler, Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard helped boxing dominate the sporting headlines. Hagler, who was the undisputed middleweight champion of the world from 1980 to 1987, retired in 1988 - a year after his famous, and infamous, split-decision defeat by Leonard.
But it is probably the fight against Hearns, two years before, that he is best remembered for now.
Billed as "The Fight", it has since become known as "The War": a three-round classic that saw Hagler survive a torrid first round, and a badly-cut head, to stop Hearns with a devastating combination.
Speaking from the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation global summit in Barcelona, Hagler said: "I can't remember the first round, I just know we threw a lot of punches.
Andrew Flintoff on Kevin Pietersen, boxing and SPOTY"The fight was just a battle and I still get chills when I see it.
"They wanted to stop the fight in the third round, but when the doctor wiped the blood out of my eyes, I said 'no, I ain't missing him, am I?'"
In Hearns' corner that night was Emanuel Steward, the legendary American fighter and trainer who died last month.
"Even though he trained Tommy Hearns, he was still a great man for me," said Hagler.
"I remember him from my amateur days and I was with him shortly before he passed away.
"He was always a supportive friend of mine. He was a well-liked man and I know he is going to be missed."
Watson named in Australia squad
Australia have included all-rounder Shane Watson in their squad for the second Test against South Africa at the Adelaide Oval. Watson missed the drawn first Test at the Gabba with a calf injury, a problem that will be assessed before the second match begins on Thursday. Batsman Rob Quiney, who replaced Watson in Brisbane, keeps his place. Australia will replace South Africa at the top of the Test rankings with victory in the three-match series. "Shane Watson is making steady progress from his calf injury, but it is too early to determine if he will be fit to come under consideration for selection," said national selector John Inverarity.
EU-Ukraine summit founders over Tymoshenko
They have finished negotiations but not enough progress has been made for a deal.
A Ukraine-EU summit in Kiev has focused on a possible political and trade agreement.
But the jailing of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko has become a spoke in the wheel.
“Do we have the rule of law in Ukraine?” our correspondent asked the European Commission President.
“It’s a state that’s making progress on this,” said José Manuel Barroso. “And we are working to consolidate the reforms. That’s why we’re here today, to offer encouragement, so Ukraine can consolidate the rule of law.”
The European Council President says the signing of any deal depends on what he calls “political circumstances”.
Experts say Ukraine has a difficult balancing act to perform.
Volodymyr Fesenko at the Centre for Applied Political Studies told euronews: “The interest of Ukraine is in finding a certain balance in the relationships with the European Union and Russia. However, the priority is given to the European integration. As for the gas issue, it rather pushes Ukraine towards Europe. Ukraine hopes that Europe will be its ally in gas relations with Russia.”
Supporters of Yulia Tymoshenko protested near the summit, as EU officials voiced concern about what they called “politically-motivated justice”.
Our correspondent in Kiev, Sergio Cantone, says energy-related interests are dictating Ukraine’s political and legal agenda, which puts Kiev on a collision course with Brussels.
More about: Diplomatic tension, EU Enlargement, European Union, Yulia Tymoshenko Copyright © 2012 euronewsWednesday, 14 November 2012
New Look Blues Up Against Rookie Swans
The upshot of all this is that both teams have vastly different expectations for the pre-season cup. Carlton are in dire need of a win to give their players and supporters some much needed confidence while Sydney are honing their squad for a tilt at the big time when the premiership season commences. A loss here for the Blues albeit on enemy soil would still prove to be devastating for the hopes of all and sundry especially coach Denis Pagan who has done all the hard trading and drafting work but has his fingers crossed that his strategy has some merit. AAP - Swans v Blues
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