Mr. Robin Kikon and family

PLA fires missiles into South China Sea

Christc hurc h, Aug

27 (IANS ): The gunman For the first time, China has fired its “aircraft-carrier killer” missile into the South China Sea as part of the naval drills being carried out by the military in the disputed region amid aerial reconnaissance by US spy planes.

China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas. Beijing has also made substantial progress in militarising its man-made islands in the past few years, which it says it has the right to defend.

Beijing claims sovereignty over all of the South China Sea. But Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims. In the East China Sea, China has territorial disputes with Japan. The South China Sea and the East China Sea are stated to be rich in minerals, oil and other natural resources. They are also vital to global trade.

China launched two missiles, including an “aircraft-carrier killer”, into the South China Sea (SCS) on Wednesday morning, a day after US U-2 spy plane entered a no-fly zone during a Chinese live-fire naval drill in the Bohai Sea off its north coast, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Thursday.

One of the missiles, a DF-26B, was launched from the north-western province of Qinghai, while the other, a DF-21D, (aircraft-carrier killer missile) lifted off from Zhejiang province in the east.

Both were fired into an area between Hainan province and the Paracel Islands, the Post quoted Chinese military sources as saying.

Paracel Islands fall in the disputed part of the South China Sea.

The DF-26 dual-capable missile is a type of weapon banned by the IntermediateRange Nuclear Forces Treaty signed by the US and Soviet Union towards the end of the Cold War.

When the US withdrew from the treaty last year, it cited China’s deployment of such weapons as justification, the report said.

The DF-26 has a range of 4,000 kilometres and can be used in nuclear or conventional strikes against ground and naval targets.

The DF-21 has a range of around 1,800 kilometres, with the state media describing it the most advanced in the series, and the DF-21D, as the world’s first anti-ship ballistic missile.

The missile launch was aimed at improving China’s ability to deny other forces access to the South China Sea, the report quoted sources as saying.

“This is China’s response to the potential risks brought by the increasingly frequent incoming US warplanes and military vessels in the South China Sea. China doesn’t want the neighbouring countries to misunderstand Beijing’s goals,” the report said. who killed 51 people at two mosques in New Zealand’s Christchurch city in 2019 was sentenced to life in prison without parole, a court announced on Thursday.

The verdict, which is the first of its kind in New Zealand, came after three days of the final hearing of the case at the High Court in Christchurch, reports Xinhua news agency.

The 29-year-old Australian gunman, Brenton Harrison Tarrant, was sentenced on 51 murder charges, 40 attempted murder charges and one terrorism charge.

A total of 91 victims or their families gave impact statements at the hearing that started on Monday.

According to the description of the shooting read at the court, “the defendant turned to his right and

Brenton Tarrant (File)

fired 32 shots from his AR15 into the mass of people in the northeastern corner of the room”. The rate of fire was extremely high and the defendant moved the AR-15 across and back many times.” Tarrant murdered 44 people at the Al Noor Mosque and killed seven more at the nearby Linwood Mosque.

He also injured 40 others in the mass shootings, according to the prosecutor Mark Zarifeh who called Tarrant “New Zealand’s worst murderer”.

The gunman conducted a research of the view of the Al Noor Mosque by flying a drone over the mosque in January 2019. “The planned time for entry was to ensure the maximum number of worshippers would be present,” the summary presented at the court said.

According to his interview with the police, Tarrant said he had planned to burn down the mosques dand wanted to “inflict as many

A DF-26 missile was from Qinghai into the South China Sea on Tuesday, according to a source close to the Chinese military. (Reuters) Beijing, Aug 27 (PTI):

fatalities as possible”.

Appreciation

We cannot thank you enough for all the help that you have extended during the brief illness and passing away of our precious father Late SETSAO SANGTAM on 14.08.2020.

Each of you had exhibited something special to make it a beautiful celebration of his life.

Thank you for honoring him in such a sincere and heart-felt manner. We greatly appreciate each and everyone’s loving tribute.

May God bless you all abundantly.

K-1348

Loving family members

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Born : 20/05/1976 – Died : 21/08/2020

We the bereaved family of Lt. Yamothung Ezung of Longsa village, Wokha district would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to each and every individual, friends and organisations, who supported us through prayers and also financially and physically at the sudden demise of our beloved on 21/08/2020.

We convey our special thanks to:- 1) Oking Hospital doctors and nurses, Kohima 2) Nurses and doctors of Civil Hospital, Wokha 3) Panacea Nursing Home doctors and nurses, Wokha 4) Kohima Longsa Okho 5) Mr. Motsuthung Hmt and friends 6) Mr. Vanthungo Ezung 7) Mr. Robin Kikon and family All well wishers.

We deeply regret our inability to mention every individuals personally, but it is our fervent prayer that God bless you all abundantly.

DP-3624

Loving wife, children and family

DP-3621

New York, Aug 27

(Agen cies): Novak Djokovic cruised past Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-1 on Wednesday to reach a record-equalling eighth Western & Southern Open semi-final where he will face Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.

The semi-finals will be played on Friday, scheduled as the final day of the event, after organisers joined other sporting events in suspending play on Thursday in protest against racial injustice.

World number one Djokovic took advantage of a series of errors by Struff to grab control of the match and closed out the 62-minute encounter with a love service break to extend his unbeaten run to 24 matches.

“It was great. I started a little bit tight in my opening couple of service games ... Ever since I made that break at the beginning of the first set, I never looked back,” said Djokovic.

“I really played very aggressive whenever I had the chance and I was going for my shots.”

With the win, Djokovic tied Jimmy Connors, Stefan Edberg, Roger Federer and Bill Talbert’s semi-final totals at the ATP Masters 1000 event.

Earlier, Bautista Agut produced a stunning comeback to defeat third seed

BUE NOS AIRES , Aug

27 (Agen cies): The news that Lionel Messi wants to leave Barcelona may have shocked the football world but his fellow Argentines back his decision and they are excited by growing reports of a reunion with coach Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

One of Argentina’s Daniil Medvedev 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 and reach his maiden semi-final in the event, which is being played at Flushing Meadows, New York instead of Cincinnati due to COVID-19.

Bautista Agut’s chances of victory appeared distant after the 24-year-old Russian cruised through the first set and had three break point chances early in the second.

But the 32-year-old top newspapers reported that Messi believes his time in Barcelona is over and has decided to move to Manchester.

La Nacion said Messi was planning to talk with Guardiola to help hasten a move to England.

However, Barcelona vowed not to let go of their prize asset for nothing and a Spanish sports lawyer

Novak Djokovic

Bautista Agut began to play freer, charging the net and serving with more confidence.

“After the first set, I was thinking a lot of bad things,” he said with a laugh. “I had to fight a lot in the second set. It was a really tough match.”

In other quarter-final matches, Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced after Reilly Opelka, who was leading 6-5, rethey reached the Europa League semi-finals.

However, he should be able to play in United’s first game of the 2020-21 Premier League season, against Crystal Palace on September 19. The Red Devils start their domestic season a week later than most of their rivals to allow them additional rest due to their exploits in Europe.

He is said to be asymptomatic, however the positive test means Deschamps has no option but to leave out one of his key players for the first set of men’s international fixtures played in Europe this calendar year.

On a footballing level, the absence of Pogba and Dembele provides opportunities for teenage talent Camavinga - linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer - and Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, who have been called up to the France senior squad for the first time. warned any move could involve considerable legal wrangling over Messi’s contract with the Catalan club.

The growing number of reports linking him with Manchester City sat well with fans in Messi’s homeland.

“It seems to me this is the moment for him to abandon the comfort zone tired due to a knee injury.

Tsitsipas will play Milos Raonic, a 4-6, 7-6(2), 7-5 winner over Serbian Filip Krajinovic, for a spot in the final.

Raonic, a former world number three, said he considered not playing his quarter-final in solidarity with the protests over the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday. Spurs in advanced Matt Doherty talks

L o n d o n , Au g 2 7

(Agen cies): Tottenham are in advanced talks with Wolves over a deal to sign right-back Matt Doherty.

Spurs are in the market for a new right-back this summer and Jose Mourinho is keen on the experienced Republic of Ireland international. The 28-year-old made 50 appearances for Wolves last season and has enhanced his reputation as both a reliable defender and significant threat going forward, scoring seven times in all competitions.

Spurs have already sold young right-back Kyle Walker-Peters to Southampton this summer and they are also prepared to sell current Serge Aurier for the right price. He has interest from AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco.

The 27-year-old Ivory Coast international has two years left on his Spurs contract having joined from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2017 for £23m. that he was in,” Gustavo Lopez, a customs official walking in central Buenos Aires, told Reuters.

“This is a challenge for him. For me, he has to go to Manchester City with Kun (Sergio) Aguero and Pep Guardiola. I think he should do it, the time is right to try and see if he can play somewhere else because until now he has Osaka in semis then withdraws

Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Western & Southern Open on Wednesday in protest against racial injustice hours after the twotimes Grand Slam champion had booked her spot in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open tune-up event.

The 22-year-old Japanese joins similar protests by athletes in the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, on Sunday in Wisconsin.

It is unclear if Osaka will reconsider her decision after organisers suspended play for Thursday as a mark of protest. The semi-finals will now be played on Friday, which is scheduled to be the final day of the event.

Osaka defeated Anett Kontaveit 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 to reach the semis where she was scheduled to face Belgian Elise Mertens, who needed just over an hour to defeat qualifier Jessica Pegula 6-1 6-3 and reach her first Premier 5 semi-final.

By pulling out of the semi-finals Osaka is giving up the chance to sharpen her game further ahead of the August 31-September 13 U.S. Open Grand Slam but she said it was important for tennis to address the issue of racial injustice.

L o n d o n , Au g 2 7

(IANS): Left-arm Nottinghamshire fast bowler Harry Gurney has been ruled out of the 2020 T20 Blast competition with a shoulder injury and will also miss the upcoming IPL. The left-armer confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that he would not be travelling to the UAE to join KKR for this season’s IPL.

“Having gone through the same frustrations as everyone this year in waiting for cricket to restart, I’m devastated to have to miss the Blast,” he said in a statement available on the Nottinghamshire Cricket website.

“Some of the proudest moments in my career have been with Notts, and nothing quite compares to being out on the field at Trent Bridge competing for trophies with some of my best mates. To have that taken away for a year is tough.

“I have a huge amount of faith in the squad of players and in their ability to go was, so let’s now see if he can do it somewhere else.”

Manchester City are favourites to sign the sixtimes world player of the year who has won every major title with Barcelona.

Some of his career highlights at Barca came under the guidance of Guardiola, who is now City manager, and the prospect they might team up again is mouth-watering.

“There are always cycles (in life) and cycles come to an end and it is good that he goes down another path,” said Facundo Silva, a 45-year old hairdresser.

“As a Boca fan I’d like to see him play Boca but that’s impossible. I think that wherever Guardiola is he will do much better that now because Barcelona has practically come apart. I hope he does well at another club.”

Messi has long said he hopes to one day play at his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario but that appears unlikely for now.

Lo n d o n , Au g 2 7

(IANS): England international Ben Chilwell has signed a five-year deal with Chelsea, joining the club from Leicester City.

“I am delighted to be joining Chelsea at this very exciting time for the club. I’m looking forward to being a part of this young, dynamic squad led by Frank Lampard as we challenge for honours next season. I can’t wait to get started and hopefully it won’t be long before we’re playing in front of the Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge,” Chilwell said in a statement.

Chilwell is one of the most established and promising full-backs in the Premier League having made over 120 appearances for Leicester City since his debut as an 18-year-old back in October 2015. He has played a total of 99 times in the Premier League, claiming nine assists and four goals.

Chelsea also completed their fifth signing of the summer after completing a deal for young French defender Malang Sarr.

The 21-year-old, who left Nice this summer following the expiry of his contract, has signed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have confirmed Sarr will spend the 2020/21 season out on loan to “provide the chance to gain valuable game time and add to his experience

New York, Aug 27

(Agen cies): Kei Nishikori, the 2014 U.S. Open runner-up, said he tested negative for Covid-19 after having two positive tests but still decided to withdraw from the Grand Slam tournament that begins next week.

N i s h i k o r i w r o t e Wednesday on his mobile app that he is ready to “slowly” return to practice — but not prepared to compete in best-of-five-set matches.

“After such a long break I feel that returning in a best of 5 long-match

Ben Chilwell

so he will be ready to join our squad”.

Sarr arrives with plenty of experience in France, playing over 100 times for Nice and earning the club’s young player of the year award.

In a statement, Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said, “The opportunity to sign Malang was

Kei Nishikori

setting is not smart until I am fully ready to do so,” Nishikori’s post said.

“It’s disappointing as I love the US Open and have great memories there. I will start on the clay. Thank you.”

Another player withdrawing from the U.S. Open on Wednesday was Polona Hercog. That allowed 2009 semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer to move into the main draw.

The U.S. Open, on the hard courts at Flushing Meadows, ends on September 13. Then the tennis tour shifts to red clay in Europe, one we could not miss. He is a tremendous prospect and we will be monitoring him closely during his loan period, hoping he will soon be back at Chelsea. We are very happy to welcome him to the club today.”

Sarr plays primarily as a centre-back but also featured at left-back on oc

Pogba tests positive for coronavirus

Paul Pogba

Lo n d o n , Au g 2 7 Pogba has been re(Agen cies): Manplaced in Deschamps’ chester United midfielder squad by Rennes midfieldPaul Pogba has been left er Eduardo Camavinga, out of the France squad afwhile international team ter testing positive for coromate Tanguy Ndombele navirus, Didier Deschamps of Tottenham Hotspur also has confirmed. misses out.

The 27-year-old had It means Pogba will been named in the world have to spend 14 days in champions’ squad for upisolation - meaning he coming fixtures against will miss the start of Man Croatia and Sweden but United’s pre-season prepahas now been forced out rations, which begin next of consideration for selecweek following their extion. tended 2019-20 season as

Gurney to miss IPL, T20 Blast

casion for Nice.

Harry Gurney deep in the tournament. “What I always say I’ll be cheering them on for in these situations is that sure, and will be there with - whilst we are all gutted a word of advice or tactical for Harry - it does provide input whenever it’s needed,” someone else with an ophe added. portunity and that can be

“Harry would improve exciting.” any T20 side in the world, “There are a number so it’s a blow to lose him for of talented bowlers in our this year’s tournament,” said squad who are looking to head coach Peter Moores. take their next steps forward

“With the experience in the white-ball game - and and expertise he’s gained there are some experienced from a global white-ball men, like Luke Fletcher career, he’s become a real and Jake Ball, who will be leader in our limited-overs very keen to take on extra dressing room. responsibility,” he added.

Henderson extends stay at

Man United

Man chester, Aug

27 (IANS): Manchester United have announced that goalkeeper Dean Henderson has signed a new contract, which will keep him at the club until June 2025. “The pathway that I have been on for the past five years has been fantastic for my development and the invaluable loan period at Sheffield United has been part of that,” said Henderson.

“The goalkeeping department at United is excellent; there are three toplevel goalkeepers who have achieved so much in the game and I look forward to working with the group. The faith that the manager and the club have shown in me with this contract means a lot to me and will continue my progression as a goalkeeper.”

“I’ll be giving everything to improve every day so that I can play as many games as possible for this

Argentines hoping for Messi-Pep reunion Nishikori pulls out of US Open

Lionel Messi

Pep Guardiola

always done well where he

great club,” he added. with tuneup tournaments planned ahead of the scheduled start of the French Open on September 27.

Nishikori said last Friday he tested positive for COVID-19 a second time and had “very minimal symptoms.”

The 30-year-old from Japan has been ranked as high as No. 4 and is currently No. 31, which would have put him in line to be seeded for the U.S. Open. Nishikori lost in the 2014 final at Flushing Meadows to Marin Cilic and was also a semifinalist in New York in 2016 and 2018.