Ruth Strauss, whose cancer diagnosis prompted her husband Andrew Strauss to step down from his role as England's director of cricket, has died, her family announced in a statement on Saturday.
The statement said Ruth had died aged 46 of the rare form of lung cancer she suffered from in her home country of Australia.
Strauss, a former England cricket captain, announced in early October he was standing down permanently as the national side's director of cricket following a period of compassionate leave.
Ruth was diagnosed with cancer during the Ashes in December 2017 and he took a break from his position earlier this year after she began a new course of treatment.
"It is with great sadness and immense grief that we have to announce that Ruth passed away today as a result of her rare lung cancer," read the statement issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on behalf of the Strauss family.
"Sam, Luca and I will miss her terribly.
"Anyone who has met Ruth will know how loving, ..

Wife of former England cricket chief Strauss dies

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Turkey's last prime minister was on Saturday chosen as the ruling party's mayoral candidate for Istanbul in a bid to ensure the country's biggest city remains in its hands after 2019 elections.
Binali Yildirim, who served as prime minister between 2016 and 2018 under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had been the clear favourite for the Justice and Development Party (AKP) role.
He was the last premier of Turkey before the parliamentary system was officially replaced with an executive presidency with Erdogan at the helm in July.
AKP chairman Erdogan, a former mayor of Istanbul, introduced Yildirim as the candidate for the March 31 vote during a televised ceremony.
The president once reportedly told his party: "If we lose Istanbul, we lose Turkey."
The key city is home to over 15 million people out of a population of over 80 million.
Yildirim, who was made parliamentary speaker after elections in June this year, has been a loyal servant of Erdogan having previously served as transport ...

Ruling party picks ex-PM as Istanbul mayor candidate

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday promised to take tough measures to avert major economic risks in 2019 as the country grappled with a continued slowdown largely due to the effects of the trade war with the US.
The US has imposed punitive tariffs on Chinese goods worth USD 250 billion per year. In retaliation, China imposed tariffs on USD 110 billion of American goods. A standstill agreement reached between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart on the margins of the G20 summit at Buenos Aires in November deferred the imposition of tit-for-tat tariffs by the two countries till March.
With the country witnessing an economic slowdown due to the trade war, China has pledged to take measures to step up American imports and investments to meet US' demand of bringing down USD 375 billion trade deficit between the two countries. March 1, 2019 is the deadline for implementing the measures.
Addressing a gathering of senior leaders of the ruling Communist Party here, Xi ...

Xi pledges tough measures to avert major risks for Chinese economy in 2019

Yemeni rebels have begun to withdraw from the port of Hodeida, the country's key aid lifeline, under an agreement reached in Sweden earlier this month, a UN official said Saturday.
The official, who requested anonymity, said the Huthi rebels began to pull back from the Red Sea port at midnight (2100 GMT Friday).
The rebel withdrawal from the port, which is the point of entry for food aid to some 14 million Yemenis UN agencies say are on the brink of famine, is a key part of a ceasefire that went into effect on December 18.
Pro-government forces are also supposed to pull back from parts of the city they recaptured in an offensive they launched with the backing of a Saudi-led coalition on June 13.
The Huthis began "the first phase of redeployment from the Hodeida port", a rebel official told the Huthi-run Saba news agency.
The rebels held a ceremony to mark the occasion, an AFP correspondent reported.
The UN Security Council last week unanimously approved a resolution authorising the ...

Yemen rebels begin withdrawal from Hodeida port

The 2-year-old son of a Yemeni woman who sued the Trump administration to let her into the country to be with the ailing boy has died, the Council on American-Islamic Relations announced.
Abdullah Hassan died in UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland, where his father Ali Hassan brought him in the fall to get treatment for a genetic brain disorder.
Swileh is not an American citizen and remained in Egypt while fighting for a visa.
"We are heartbroken. We had to say goodbye to our baby, the light of our lives," Ali Hassan was quoted as saying in the statement published Friday by the council.
A funeral is scheduled for Saturday.
Hassan is a US citizen who lives in Stockton, California. Hassan and his wife Shaima Swileh moved to Egypt after marrying in war-torn Yemen in 2016.
Swileh had been trying to get a visa since 2017, so the family could move to the United States.
Citizens from Yemen and four other mostly Muslim countries, along with North Korea and Venezuela, are restricted ...

2-year-old Yemeni boy whose mom sued US to see him has died

A Chinese court said Saturday that a 15-year jail sentence for a Canadian national charged with drug smuggling was too "lenient" and remanded his case for a retrial.
The decision comes as Beijing and Ottawa remain embroiled in a diplomatic row triggered by Canada's early December arrest of a senior executive from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei.
The high court in Liaoning, which heard Robert Lloyd Schellenberg's appeal Saturday, said in a statement that a previous ruling in November, which sentenced him to 15 years in jail and a 150,000 yuan (USD 21,800) forfeiture, was "obviously inappropriate" given the severity of his crimes.
Schellenberg played an "important role" in drug smuggling and was potentially involved in international organised drug trafficking activities, said the court, and passed his case back to the lower Dalian court for a retrial without specifying a date.
The high court in Liaoning did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.
China exercises a .

Canadian drug smuggler faces retrial as China says 15 yrs too lenient

The sharp political differences between Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have been further reflected in the allocation of key departments under various ministries.
According to the subjects gazette published on Saturday, Sirisena has kept control of the police department under him as the minister of defence.
The UNP led by Wickremesinghe argues that the police cannot be controlled by Sirisena whereas the 19th amendment to the Constitution has restricted the president to just one ministry in addition to the defence ministry.
Sirisena had also kept the government printer under him which is the authority which publishes government-gazetted decrees.
Sirisena's differences with Wickremesinghe led to a collapse of the unity government between the two leaders on October 26 as Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe as premier and withdrew his UPFA alliance from the unity government, triggering a constitutional and political crisis never before seen in .

Sirisena keeps control of police as Lanka political crisis festers

China successfully launched six atmospheric environment research satellites and a communication satellite on Saturday, state media reported.
The satellites were launched by a Long March-2D rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The six Yunhai-2 satellites will be used to study atmospheric environment, monitor space environment, prevent and reduce disasters, and conduct scientific experiments, the agency reported.

China launches seven satellites

Russia and Turkey on Saturday agreed to coordinate ground operations in Syria after last week's shock announcement of a US military withdrawal, Moscow's top diplomat said.
"Of course we paid special attention to new circumstances which appeared in connection with the announced US military pullout," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after talks with Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Moscow.
"An understanding was reached of how military representatives of Russia and Turkey will continue to coordinate their steps on the ground under new conditions with a view to finally rooting out terrorist threats in Syria," Lavrov said.
Cavusoglu confirmed the two countries would coordinate Syria operations, adding they also discussed plans to help refugees to return home.
"We will continue active work (and) coordination with our Russian colleagues and colleagues from Iran to speed up the arrival of a political settlement in the Syrian Republic," he said in remarks translated into ...

Russia, Turkey agree to coordinate on Syria after US pullout

Pakistan has sent recommendations to India for facilitating visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims through the upcoming Kartarpur corridor, according to a media report here on Saturday.
Islamabad has given a 59-page document with 14 key recommendations to New Delhi, Express News TV reported quoting Pakistani diplomatic officials.
The recommendations call for Indian pilgrims to be given free entry and that facilitation centres and security check-posts to be set up on both sides of the border.
The pilgrims shall be allowed in groups of a minimum of 15 people and Pakistan shall issue special permits to them.
Both countries will compile a record of visitors which will include their names, travel records and other details, according to the recommendations.
The Indian government shall provide a list of pilgrims to Pakistan three days in advance and it will be mandatory for all visitors to bear a standard Indian passport.
The recommendations further say that all visitors shall be required .

Pak sends recommendations to India for visa-free travel of Sikh pilgrims through Kartarpur corridor

Russia and Turkey on Saturday agreed to coordinate ground operations in Syria after last week's announcement of a US military withdrawal, Moscow's top diplomat said.
"An understanding was reached of how military representatives of Russia and Turkey will continue to coordinate their steps on the ground under new conditions with a view to finally rooting out terrorist threats in Syria," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after talks with his Turkish counterpart.

Russia, Turkey agree to coordinate on Syria after US pullout: Lavrov

Yemeni rebels have begun to withdraw from the port of Hodeida, the country's key aid lifeline, under an agreement reached in Sweden earlier this month, a UN official said Saturday.
The official, who requested anonymity, said that the Huthi rebels began to pull back from the Red Sea port at midnight (2100 GMT Friday).

Yemen rebels begin withdrawal from Hodeida port: UN

Award-winning musician and composer Nitin Sawhney leads over 30 Indian-origin high achievers across different fields named on the UK's annual New Year's Honours List that was released on Saturday.
Sawhney, behind musical scores to films like 'The Namesake' and 'Midnight's Children', has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to music.
The 54-year-old UK-born artist, known for his original compositions for stage and screen, is joined by Gurinder Singh Josan and Dr Sridevi Kalindindi, who are also awarded CBEs for political service and services to Rehabilitation Psychiatry, respectively.
The annual honours list released towards the end of the year recognises the achievements of a wide range of "extraordinary people", with some of this year's highlights including Knighthoods for record-breaking England cricketer Alastair Cook, following his retirement from international cricket, and award-winning author Philip Pullman.
England's football manager ...

Nitin Sawhney leads Indian-origin names on UK's Honours List

Egyptian police killed 40 alleged "terrorists" in a crackdown on Saturday after a roadside bomb hit a tour bus claiming the lives of three Vietnamese holidaymakers and an Egyptian guide.
The suspects were killed in separate raids in Giza governorate, home to Egypt's famed pyramids and the scene of Friday's deadly bombing, and in the restive Sinai Peninsula, the interior ministry said.
Thirty "terrorists" were killed in two raids in Giza and the remaining 10 were killed in the North Sinai, a statement said without directly linking them to the tour bus bombing.
It said authorities had received information the suspects were preparing a spate of attacks against state and tourist institutions and churches.
"Information was received by the national security that a group of terrorists were planning to carry out a series of aggressive attacks targeting state institutions, particularly economic ones, as well as tourism, armed forces, police and Christian places of worship," the ministry ...

Egypt kills 40 'terrorists' in crackdown after Giza attack

Veer Ahlawat led eight Indians into the crucial fifth and final round of the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage on Saturday.
Veer shot a fine three-under 68 to get to 11-under 273 and was Tied-18th after 72 holes.
The top 70 and ties after the fourth round will play the fifth and final round, after which the Top-35 and ties will be ranked accordingly for 2019 starts.
While Veer was the best Indian in T-18, the other Indians who squeezed into the Top-70 included Abhijit Chadha (67) and Chiragh Kumar (69) at 10-under and Tied-20th respectively.
Aman Raj (68) fought back after a disappointing third round of 74, moving up to T-27th at nine-under, while Aadil Bedi (68) was eight-under and T-36th. Amardip Malik (67) also made a good move up to T-42nd at seven-under.
Veer said, "I'm hitting it well and reading my putts right. I'm confident heading into the final round of Qualifying School. This is my third attempt at Qualifying School.
"I'll be looking to apply my experience and ...

Race to Asian Tour card: Ahlawat leads 8 Indians into final round

Officials have scrapped the use of wet bulb globe temperature readings for next month's Australian Open which should result in more matches suspended or delayed by Melbourne's notoriously hot, dry and often windy conditions in January.
The wet bulb index is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover.
Australian Open officials said Saturday a newly developed "heat stress scale," which takes into account air temperature, radiant heat, humidity and wind speed, will instead be applied along with more comprehensive measuring of conditions across Melbourne Park.
A 10-minute break between the third and fourth set will also be introduced in men's singles matches when the five-point scale nears its most extreme point.
The introduction of heat-related breaks for male players brings the tournament into line with the U.S. Open which was repeatedly forced to stop play earlier this year.
Play will be ...

Australian Open develops new extreme heat policy

Sri Lanka's young batting maestro Kusal Mendis cemented a stellar year Saturday by passing 1,000 runs in 2018 but the occasion was tempered by his untimely dismissal in the second Test against New Zealand.
The 23-year-old was torn between celebrating being the second player behind India's run machine Virat Kohli to achieve the 1,000 milestone and ruing Sri Lanka's precarious position with a day remaining in the series deciding Test.
Sri Lanka resumed the day at 24 for two with Mendis and skipper Dinesh Chandimal steeled to bat through all three sessions to give the tourists a chance to draw the match and series.
Instead, after facing 147 deliveries he was out to a loose shot midway through the middle session and at stumps on day four Sri Lanka were 231 for six with their 660-run target out of sight.
Of reaching 1,000 runs, Mendis said he was "really glad I was able to do it at 23, and I had challenged myself to get there in this last game." When he was out for 67, caught at extra ...

Bittersweet day for Sri Lanka's prolific Mendis

New Zealand were eyeing an historic victory as injury and a barrage of Neil Wagner bouncers left Sri Lanka in tatters at the close of day four of the second Test in Christchurch on Saturday.
Sri Lanka were 231 for six at stumps, 429 runs short of their improbable 660-run target, with doubt whether the injured Angelo Mathews would return.
At the crease were Dilruwan Perera on 22 and Suranga Lakmal on 16.
Wagner, who had enjoyed little success in the series, broke through stubborn Sri Lankan resistance to have figures of three for 47.
After rain ensured a drawn first Test in Wellington, a win in the Christchurch decider would give New Zealand a fourth consecutive series win for the first time after beating the West Indies, England and Pakistan earlier this year.
Despite losing both openers in the first two overs of their second innings, Sri Lanka fought to stay in the game until short-ball specialist Wagner came into the frame.
Skipper Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis produced stubborn 

New Zealand spirits up as Mendis falls, Mathews injured

Shehu Shagari, Nigeria's second president, whose civilian tenure was sandwiched between two military rulers in an era rocked by coups, has died. He was 93.
Nigeria's current President Muhammadu Buhari, who unseated Shagari 35 years ago, said on Saturday he mourns "the departure of a patriot, who served Nigeria with humility, integrity and diligence."
Shagari had an ambivalent relationship with the military, which initially favoured his ascension to power but held him in solitary confinement for three years after toppling his government.
After military ruler Olusegun Obasanjo lifted the ban on political activity in Africa's most populous country in 1978, Shagari beat regional political veterans in a hotly contested election the next year.
The polls followed 13 years of military rule by four different men.
At his swearing-in ceremony, Shagari said the military had "succeeded in large measure in unifying us."
It had been less than 20 years since the West African powerhouse had earned its 

Former Nigerian President Shehu Shagari dies at 93

Cyprus authorities say a Maltese-flagged oil tanker caught fire and ran aground near a fishing village, forcing several crew members to jump overboard.
Cyprus' Joint Rescue Coordination Center says the fire aboard the tanker Athlos was extinguished soon after it broke out.
Five crew members were rescued from the water and taken to the hospital.
The Center said the empty tanker issued a distress call Saturday following an explosion and fire onboard shortly after setting sail from Larnaca port some 3.5 miles off the village of Zygi.
The vessel had run aground 200 metres from shore near Zygi.
The tanker, with 17 crew members including 7 Greeks, 9 Indians and a Georgian, was heading to the Greek port of Aspropyrgos.
Police vessels and fire-fighting ships are at the scene.

Cyprus: Empty oil tanker catches fire; 5 crew rescued

Norman Gimbel, an Oscar- and Grammy-winning lyricist, has died at the age of 91.
The songwriter passed away on December 19 at his home in Montecito, California, his son Tony Gimbel told The Hollywood Reporter.
Gimbel was best known for writing the lyrics of "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and the English lyrics for "The Girl From Ipanema" with his writing partner Charles Fox
The duo also collaborated on Croce's "I Got a Name," released the day after the singer's death in a plane crash September 20, 1973. The song served as the theme to "The Last American Hero" (1973), starring Jeff Bridges.
They also wrote themes for the Garry Marshall comedies "Happy Days", "Laverne & Shirley", and "Angie".
Gimbel was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984.

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