NASA's New Horizons spacecraft has beamed back the first images of the distant worldlet Ultima Thule, after a historic flyby on the New Year's Day, revealing a bowling pin-shaped cosmic sentinel that possibly holds the key to understanding the origins of the solar system.
The event, which marks the most distant and possibly the oldest object ever visited by a space probe, ushered in the era of exploration from the enigmatic Kuiper Belt, NASA said in a statement.
"Congratulations to NASA's New Horizons team, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and the Southwest Research Institute for making history yet again," said Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator.
In addition to being the first to explore Pluto, today New Horizons flew by the most distant object ever visited by a spacecraft and became the first to directly explore an object that holds remnants from the birth of our solar system," said Bridenstine.
"This is what leadership in space exploration is all about," he said.
Signals ...

NASA spacecraft beams back first images of Ultima Thule

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India's unwavering pursuit of history hit a minor glitch in 11th hour injury concerns but Virat Kohli's men will still walk in as overwhelming favourites against a faltering Australia in the fourth and final Test starting Wednesday.
Leading 2-1 in the four-match series, India remain firm favourites to make it 3-1 at the Sydney Cricket Ground despite serious fitness issue pertaining to their premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and senior pacer Ishant Sharma, who has not been named in the 13-member list.
Australia have hosted India since 1947-48, and barring three occasions  in 1980-81, 1985-86 and 2003-04 which were drawn  they have lost the Test series on seven occasions -- 1967-68, 1977-78, 1991-92, 1999-2000, 2007-08, 2011-12, 2014-15.
Virat Kohli, thus, is in a unique position as the only Indian captain to go into the final Test on Australian soil with the cushion of a series lead.
A series win in Australia will certainly put Kohli on a different pedestal even though the quality of 

Fourth Test: Injured Ashwin, Ishant to miss out as India look to create history

Disgraced former captain Salman Butt has claimed that Shahid Afridi blocked his return to the Pakistan team for the 2016 World T20 despite him serving the five-year ban following the 2010 spot-fixing scandal.
Butt said he was close to being selected for the World T20 in India after he had resumed playing domestic cricket following the completion of his ban in 2015 but Afridi resisted his selection.
"I was called to the NCA by head coach, Waqar Younis and batting coach, Grant Flower and they took me to the nets and checked my fitness," Butt said on the Gsports show on GTV News channel on Tuesday night.
"Waqar bhai asked me if I was mentally ready to play for Pakistan again and I said yes very much."
The 34-year-old said everything was cleared for his comeback to the Pakistan team before Afridi, who was the captain then, stepped in and blocked his return.
"I don't know what prompted him to do this but no I didn't go to him or speak about it. I didn't feel it was right. But what I know ..

Afridi blocked my return to Pakistan team, claims Butt

Japan's Emperor Akihito delivered his final New Year's address Wednesday before his abdication later this year, telling tens of thousands of well-wishers he was praying for peace.
The Imperial Palace said more then 72,000 people flocked to the royal residence on Wednesday morning alone, with many more still arriving for a final chance to see the 85-year-old royal deliver his traditional new year's greeting.
The emperor will become the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in around two centuries when he steps down from the throne on April 30, ending his three-decade reign.
"I'm sincerely glad to celebrate the new year together with you under the clear sky," he told thousands of people, many waving Japanese flags and shouting "Banzai" or "long live."
"I pray for the peace and happiness of the people of our country and the world," the soft-spoken Akihito added, flanked by Empress Michiko and other family members.
The emperor delivers a brief New Year's greeting every year, and was expected 

Tears as Japan emperor gives last New Year's address

US Border Patrol agents used tear gas and pepper spray to counter rock-throwing migrants when a group of about 150 tried to illegally cross the border from Mexico, leading to 25 arrests, the agency said on Tuesday.
It is the second time since November that border officers have used tear gas during an attempted mass migrant crossing in the San Diego area.
The migrants in the latest case New Year's Eve were among 1,500 who have remained in Tijuana, Mexico, just south of San Diego, California, after a once-5,000-strong caravan of travellers -- which raised the ire of President Donald Trump -- largely gave up and dispersed.
An AFP journalist reported the crowd size at about 100 and observed the group of Central Americans gathering around 8:00 pm Monday night (0400 GMT Tuesday) in an area called Playas de Tijuana on the Pacific coast, often used by migrants as a departure point for attempts to sneak across the border.
There, the border is marked with fencing and a large vertical plate that 

Tear gas fired as dozens of migrants try illegal crossing to US

A strong domestic structure is key to India's Test success and Pakistan can not expect a similar performance from their players when most tend to avoid the four-day cricket in the country, said former Test captain Salman Butt.
Last month Pakistan lost the three-Test series against New Zealand 1-2 and also suffered a six-wicket defeat against South Africa in the first Test at Centurion last week.
India, on the other hand, defeated Australia by 137 runs in the third Test at Melbourne to take an unassailable 2-1 lead and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"Look when India won the recent Test against Australia, Virat Kohli credited India's domestic cricket for the success in bowling and batting," said Butt, who played 33 Tests and 78 ODIs in his international cricket career.
"India is doing well because their players are only allowed to play in the IPL T20 cricket and have to play Ranji Trophy unlike us where most players tend to avoid four-day domestic cricket.
"Look most of them ...

Pakistan need strong domestic structure like India for Test success: Butt

More than 395,000 babies were expected to have born around the world on New Year's Day, with India estimated to record the highest number of these births at nearly 70,000, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said.
As the calendar flips to 2019, about 395,072 babies will be born around the world.
Over half of these births are estimated to take place in eight countries, including India, China, Pakistan, United States and Bangladesh.
India is expected to register 69,944 of these births, followed by China (44,940), Nigeria (25,685), Pakistan (15,112), Indonesia (13,256), US (11,086), The Democratic Republic of Congo (10,053) and Bangladesh (8,428).
As the clock struck midnight, Sydney greeted an estimated 168 babies, followed by 310 in Tokyo, 605 in Beijing, 166 in Madrid, and 317 in New York.
The first babies were born in Fiji in the Pacific, and the US will most likely deliver its last.
As the world enters a new year, UNICEF called on nations to meet every newborn's right to ...

On first day of 2019, estimated 395,000 babies born worldwide, most in India: UNICEF

Indian-American K P George sworn in as the Fort Bend County Judge, becoming the first person from the community to hold the office of one of America's most diverse counties.
George, 53, a Democrat and Fort Bend Independent School District Board trustee, defeated Republican Judge Robert Hebert in November polls.
In the US, county judges' duties vary from state to state. Depending upon the size of the county, they perform a wide range of judicial and administrative duties.
The Fort Bend county has a sizeable population of Indian-Americans.
According to the latest census, Fort Bend is now the most diverse county in Texas, and among the most diverse in the country with 35 per cent Anglos, 24 per cent Hispanics, 21 per cent Asians and others; and 20 per cent African-Americans.
George, who hails from Kerala's Kakkodu city, said his father, a truck driver, earned only a couple of US dollars a day. He studied using a kerosene lamp.
He said that community engagement will be the top priority ...

Indian-American takes oath as Fort Bend County Judge in Texas

Harry Kane got himself into the record books again as Tottenham Hotspur started 2019 in style outclassing Cardiff City to prevail 3-0 on Tuesday.
Kane's third-minute opening goal is the fifth successive New Year's Day he has scored in the Premier League, equalling a record held by Andy Cole and Steven Gerrard.
Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-Min added further goals as Spurs had the win wrapped up before half-time and reclaimed second place, a point above Manchester City, and six behind leaders Liverpool.
This performance marked Mauricio Pochettino's side out as still being live title contenders and a stark contrast to the limp way they lost to another promoted side Wolverhampton Wanderers at home on Saturday.
They toyed with Cardiff at times, and the third goal killed the game, with the 'Ole' chants going up from the visiting fans after half an hour.
Cardiff's poor record against the top teams continued, losing their last 15 Premier League matches against the 'big six' sides, ...

Record-equalling Kane keeps Spurs in title hunt with Cardiff romp

Arsenal manager Unai Emery was happy with his team's attacking play after Tuesday's 4-1 victory over Fulham but admitted their defending has plenty of room for improvement.
The score suggests a straightforward win against a Fulham team who performed as poorly on the road as they usually do but it was exactly what Emery's men needed to restore confidence after their 5-1 thrashing by Liverpool. But Emery knew the score did not tell the whole story.
Ryan Sessegnon missed two good chances to give the visitors the lead in the first 20 minutes and had either gone in, Arsenal's resolve would have been sorely tested.
Instead, typically slack Fulham defending allowed the unmarked Granit Xhaka to score from Alex Iwobi's measured cross after 25 minutes, and Arsenal were rarely troubled after that.
"Our challenge now is to improve defensively," Emery admitted.
"Today was the first time we could play with Sokratis, (Skhodran) Mustafi and (Laurent) Koscielny. We are very happy with the attacking ...

Emery finds it hard to put case for Gunners defence

Mitt Romney, the Republican party's presidential nominee in 2012, has slammed US President Donald Trump, saying his conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that he has not risen to the mantle of the office.
Romney, 71, who was elected as a Republican Senator from Utah in November, will be sworn in on Thursday.
"The Trump presidency made a deep descent in December...on balance, his conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office," Romney said in an op-ed published in the Washington Post on Tuesday.
His strong-hitting op-ed gains significance that he is unlikely to follow White House position on critical issues given that the ruling party has 53 seats in a 100-member Senate.
On some critical issues Trump would require 60 votes to get his legislative agenda passed.
Romney, notably enough, during the Republican presidential primaries in 2016, had ...

Trump has not risen to the mantle of White House: Mitt Romney

Defending Asian Cup champions Australia were dealt a blow Wednesday with Hibernian striker Martin Boyle ruled of action for "an indefinite period" with a knee injury.
The Scottish-born attacker was shaping as a key member of the team after scoring two goals in three appearances since switching allegiances to Australia in November.
But he picked up a knock in their 5-0 rout of Oman in a warm-up game on Sunday and will miss the tournament.
"We sent Martin for a scan yesterday and the outcome of that assessment is that he will be out of action for an indefinite period," said Australia coach Graham Arnold.
"Martin was desperate to stay with us but we've decided that the best thing for his long-term career for both his club and country is for him to return to Scotland where he can receive great care at Hibernian FC."
Boyle, who qualifies to represent the Socceroos as his father was born in Sydney, said he devastated.
"The Socceroos have become a big part of my life in a short period of ...

Hibernian's Boyle out of Asian Cup in Socceroos blow

Russia faced the possibility of renewed sporting sanctions on Tuesday when the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirmed the country had missed a December 31 deadline to hand over data from its anti-doping laboratory in Moscow.
"I am bitterly disappointed that data extraction from the former Moscow Laboratory has not been completed by the date agreed," said WADA president Craig Reedie.
WADA said the independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) will now consider the next step in the long-running saga at a January 14-15 meeting.
The end-of-year deadline was set in September, when WADA lifted a ban on the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), paving the way for Russian athletes to return to competition across all sports after a report which uncovered a state-sponsored doping programme in Russia.
WADA's confirmation of the missed deadline came as US Anti-Doping Agency chief Travis Tygart described Russia's return to the sports fold "a total joke and an embarrassment".
However, in his New .

New sanctions loom as WADA confirm Russia misses doping deadline

Serena Williams has posted an inspirational New Year message to mums and dads juggling parenthood with work, saying "anything is possible".
The 23-time Grand Slam champion began 2019 in Perth at the mixed teams Hopman Cup, with baby Alexis Olympia in tow.
She posted a picture of herself and her daughter to her 10.4 million followers on Instagram, holding her child as she stretched her leg.
Williams, 37, said "it's not about what we can do it's what we MUST do as working moms and working dads".
"Anything is possible. I was getting ready for the first match of the year and my dear sweet baby @olympiaohanian was tired and sad and simply needed mama's love.
"So if it means warming up and stretching while holding my baby that's what #thismama will do.
"My fellow moms and dads working - or stay home it's equally as intense - but you inspire me," she added.
"Hearing your stories makes me know I can do this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This year is to you!"
The last time Williams ..

Serena in inspirational message to working mums

New Zealand have put a line under their Test series win over Sri Lanka and switched to World Cup mode with the first of three one-day internationals in Tauranga on Thursday.
"It's really now about looking ahead to the World Cup, being clear on the game plans we want to use," coach Gary Stead said after New Zealand beat Sri Lanka 1-0 in the Test series to move up to third in the rankings behind India and England.
New Zealand, who are also third in the ODI rankings, face eighth-ranked Sri Lanka in the opening round of the World Cup in Cardiff in June.
Stead described the home ODI series  against Sri Lanka as being "about tweaking, looking at the style of play and how we want to play and looking at the options who fit those roles as well.
It's definitely a trial period still".
Both sides have made a number of changes from their Test line-up, with Sri Lanka bringing in six new faces including Lasith Malinga, while New Zealand have brought back big-hitting Martin Guptill and are resting ...

New Zealand to use Sri Lanka ODIs as World Cup trial

Novak Djokovic took just 55 minutes to claim his first win of 2019, brushing aside Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-2 in the Qatar Open first round on Tuesday.
The world number one showed he was intent on taking his form from last season into the new year with a totally dominant display against the Bosnian world number 47.  "It's fantastic to be back and to start off the tournament like I have done makes me very confident and very happy," said the Serb.
He added: "Results-wise and time-wise it did look quite comfortable (but) I don't think it's nice and fair to say it's easy because I have respect for Dzumhur." Djokovic, who has won the last two Grand Slams -- at Wimbledon and the US Open to take his majors total to 14 -- completed the match in under an hour by predictably converting his first match point.
The 31-year-old, who has made it clear he wants to match or better Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slams, was untroubled throughout.  Djokovic said he hoped that news of his comfortable ...

'Fantastic' Djokovic eases to opening Qatar win, Thiem crashes out

"I start to read and then I start to think 'Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp' and I cannot focus," said Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola last month, admitting Liverpool's charge to depose the Premier League champions has been in his head for some time.
But in their very first game of 2019, City already find themselves in must-win territory to haul Liverpool back into view by inflicting the leaders' first defeat of the season and cutting a seven-point lead to four at the Etihad on Thursday.
"With the position of Liverpool, if we drop points then it is over, it is finished; it would be almost impossible," said Guardiola after Sunday's 3-1 win at Southampton.
Guardiola's obsession with Liverpool and Klopp in particular is not surprising. For a serial winner, no side and no manager has caused the Catalan as many problems as the German.
City have won just one of seven meetings since Guardiola joined Klopp in England after locking horns in charge of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and ...

Charging Liverpool challenge Man City to prove their greatness

Asian markets sank Wednesday, starting the new year by extending a slide that made 2018 the worst in a decade, with investors jolted by data reinforcing weakness in China's economy.
With a number of potential banana skins dotting the next 12 months -- including the China-US trade row and Brexit -- dealers are keeping to the sidelines as they look for signs of stability.
Hong Kong led the losses, tumbling more than two per cent, while Shanghai shed one per cent after two indicators showed Chinese manufacturing activity shrank in December.
The readings, from the government and another a private survey, are the latest to highlight problems in the world's number two economy following a slew of downbeat figures including on trade, factory output and inflation.
"The disappointment that came through in December has transferred into January as well," Jingyi Pan, a market strategist at IG Asia, told Bloomberg News.
She added that the reading was a reminder of the US-China trade tensions and ...

Hong Kong leads Asia markets down as 2019 starts on sour note

China will not give up the use of military force as an option to ensure the reunification of Taiwan, President Xi Jinping said Wednesday, while insisting the island would ultimately be reunified with the mainland.
Beijing "reserves the option of taking all necessary measures" against outside forces that interfere with peaceful reunification and Taiwan independence separatist activities, he said.

China will not 'give up use of military force' over Taiwan: Xi

Dark skies were threatening rain over an Iraqi Kurdistan village, but one woman refused to budge from outside a house where two girls were at risk of female genital mutilation.
"I know you're home! I just want to talk," called out Kurdistan Rasul, 35, a pink headscarf forming a sort of halo around her plump features.
For many, she is an angel: an Iraqi Kurdish activist with the non-profit WADI on a crusade to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM).
FGM, in which a girl or woman's genitals are cut or removed, was once extremely common in the Kurdish region, but WADI's campaigning has chipped away at the practice.
Rasul, who herself was cut at a young age, is helping to eradicate FGM in the village of Sharboty Saghira, east of regional capital Arbil.
She has visited 25 times, challenging its imam on perceptions FGM is mandated by Islam and warning midwives about infections and emotional trauma.
That morning, she used the mosque's minaret to vaguely invite villagers to discuss their ..

In Kurdish Iraq, women strive to end genital mutilation

Netflix confirmed Tuesday that it removed an episode of a satirical comedy show that criticises Saudi Arabia, after officials in the kingdom reportedly complained.
The move raises new questions about the limits of free online expression.
In the episode of "Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj," the American-born Muslim lashed Saudi Arabia after the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
He specifically criticised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and was also critical of the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen.
"We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and removed this episode only in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request -- and to comply with local law," a Netflix spokeswoman said in a statement.
British newspaper the Financial Times said Netflix's action came after the kingdom's Communications and Information Technology Commission said the episode violated the cybercrime law.
In December, the US Senate approved two 

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