Israeli aircraft hit Gaza in first strikes

GAZA militants have fired a rocket into southern Israel after the death in custody of a Palestinian who suffered from cancer, Israeli police say.

"There was a rocket that was fired," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP on Tuesday. "It landed in an open area," he said, adding there were no immediate reports of casualties or property damage.

Earlier in the day Palestinian witnesses said militants in Gaza City had fired three mortar rounds on Israel.

The Israeli army initially said one projectile had landed in the Jewish state, without causing any casualties, but later said none had.

A spokeswoman said military systems detected launches within Gaza but that they had fallen short and landed within the strip.

A coalition of Salafist groups later claimed that its militants fired two rockets at Israel on Tuesday afternoon.

The Mujahedeen Shura Council said in a statement received that its action was "part of our answer to the death of Maisara Abu Hamdiyeh".

The death on Tuesday morning of Abu Hamdiyeh, a 63-year-old prisoner from the West Bank city of Hebron who had been suffering from throat cancer. That sparked Palestinian anger, with officials blaming Israel for allegedly refusing to release him early on compassionate grounds.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the faction was watching the developments with "the greatest concern" and that Israel would "regret its continuing crimes".

It was the third instance of rocket fire since the end of a deadly eight-day confrontation between Israel and Hamas militants in November, which ended with an Egyptian-brokered truce that has been almost completely respected.

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Do you want the good news or bad news first?

TREASURER Wayne Swan is facing the difficult task of telling voters in eight weeks that while the economy is in top shape the Government is running short of money.

Explaining the contradiction will be central to the May 14 Budget which the Government hopes will set up a clear run to the September 14 general election despite declaration of a sizable deficit.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has boasted that so far this financial year - and since carbon pricing began on July 1- there have been 118,546 new companies registered, and 186,583 in the 12 months to March 1.

Company share prices have risen by about 25 per cent, and unemployment has stayed relatively low and is now at 5.4 per cent and one poll has put business confidence at its highest since April 2011.

However, Treasurer Swan is adding a jarring element to this financial story by warning that since last July 1, Government tax revenue has shrunk by some $6 billion against forecasts.

The deficit so far is estimated to be $26.8 billion.

At play is what the Treasurer calls high real growth and low or trend nominal growth - a relatively rare economic phenomena in which productivity improves but doesn't deliver profits to match.

The Coalition is insisting the Government's problems have been caused by excessive spending - such as a $6.5 billion blowout in asylum seeker costs, and the $100 million spent advertising the Schoolkids Bonus which went to parents automatically.

Treasurer Swan wants to convince voters that the real problem is revenue and the low flow of corporate tax payments, and not unwarranted spending.

The Budget is expected to confirm company profits are down, but that Government spending will still be below 24 per cent of gross national product - significantly lower than during the Coalition government of the Howard years.

Mr Swan blames the high Australian dollar which is making business life harder for exporters in particular.

Treasury has reported that since early 2009 the Australian dollar has appreciated in value by 50 per cent. The next highest appreciating currency was the Korean won which has risen by 25 per cent in the same period.

Mr Swan will maintain spending and in the lead-up to the Budget will claim the Opposition's plans for spending cuts would slow economic growth.

"We will not put growth and jobs in our economy at risk by cutting further and deeper in the near term to fill in a hole in revenues," the Treasurer said in a statement.

"Because it is only through supporting jobs and growth over the past five years that we have been able to keep our nation's impressive run of economic growth going, while virtually every single developed economy fell into recession - with many still struggling to recoup lost output."

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First vote fails to elect new Pope

Black smoke billowed into the night sky from Sistine Chapel's chimney signaling inconclusive first vote in the conclave to elect a new pope. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

BLACK smoke billowed out of the Vatican chimney today signifying the first ballot to elect a pope to lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics had failed to find a single leading candidate.

Thousands braved teeming rain and at times hail to cower under umbrellas in St Peter’s Square to look to the heavens and watch the small chimney high above the Sistine Chapel for a sign of election progress.

White smoke, signifying a pope has been chosen, was never likely in this first ballot but the conclave has attracted huge global attention since Pope Benedict, 85, made history last month by becoming the first pope in 600 years to step down.

The black smoke, created from the burning of the ballots in a stove in the chapel and aided by some added chemicals including potassium and sulphur, billowed above the Vatican terracotta roof tops shortly after 7.50pm local time. Many in the St Peter's Square on what was a unseasonally cold evening, carried flags of their papal hopes including banners from Spain, Philippines, Brazil and Mexico as well of course from Italy.

There was great anticipation despite the expectation there would not be a result but consensus was being part in a moment in history.

Four ballots will now be held every day until consensus is built upon and a candidate attracts a two thirds majority or at least 77 votes to be elected pope; no clear favourite has been identified although cardinal Angelo Scola and Brazil's Odilo Scherer are seen as frontrunners.

Cardinals attend a mass at the St Peter's basilica before the start of the conclave. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS

The papal tailor Gammarelli delivered the clothes on Monday to ensure that the newly elected pope could change immediately into papal white as soon as he accepts the election. With the words "Habemus Papam'' - or "We have a pope'' - the pontiff then appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to greet the crowd for the first time.

A group of women who say they are priests launched pink smoke from a balcony overlooking the square during the Mass to demand female ordination - a play on the famous smoke signals that will tell the world whether a pope has been elected.

And in a bizarre twist, basketball star Dennis Rodman is expected to arrive in St. Peter's Square tomorrow in a makeshift popemobile as he campaigns for Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana to become the church's first black pope.

Earlier in the afternoon, the 115 cardinals from around the world eligible to vote attended a moving Gregorian-chanting mass to pray the Holy Spirit guided them in their important election of a new pope to lead the church which has been bogged in corruption, controversy, politics and scandal in recent times. They were joined by thousands of devout pilgrims and clergy from a myriad of religious orders all wearing their traditional robes.

During the mass homily, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the college of cardinals, alluded to the disunity within the fractured church, appealing to fellow electors to put differences aside for the good of the church.

"My brothers let us pray that the Lord will grant us a pontiff who will embrace this noble mission with a generous heart," he told the congregation as many cardinals looked skyward as outside thunder and lightning and intermittent hail storms appeared to give gravitas to his words.

Black smoke at the Vatican signals that there has been no decision on a new Pope aftert he first round of voting att he Conclave.

He added: "Each of us is therefore called to cooperate with the Successor of Peter, the visible foundation of such an ecclesial unity."

US Cardinal Timothy Dolan perhaps saw it differently saying a calm had washed over him as if "this gentle rain is a sign of the grace of the Holy Spirit coming upon us."

Later in the afternoon, the 115 red-capped cardinals walked in procession two-by-two along the frescoed walls of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace to be sequestered into the Sistine Chapel for the vote. As they entered the chapel they chanted what is called the “litany of the saints”, asking the more than 150 saints by name to help them in their choice of pope.

Once inside they bowed before the frescoe of Michelangelo’s Last Judgement then took their place to each swear on a book of gospels an oath of secrecy for the duration of the conclave, under threat of excommunication if they reveal elements of deliberations in selecting a new leader.

The whole chapel scene, before the cameras were ordered out and the doors locked with only voting cardinals within, was broadcast live on big screens about St Peter’s Square.

Prior to the lockdown, some cardinals took to the Internet and Twitter to say their goodbyes to followers for the next few days.

Tina Carreon (L) prays during Votive Mass that concluded the twelve hour prayer vigil in advance of the election of a new Pope.

“Last Tweet before conclave: May Our Father hear and answer with love and mercy all prayers and sacrifices offered for fruitful outcome. God Bless,” tweeted South African cardinal Wilfrid Napier.

It was a day steeped in history, holy ritual and tradition despite the unorthodox resignation that brought the world to this moment. And despite the rain that poured, at times torrid, throughout the day, thousands of pilgrims and tourists including from Australia have been enjoying what everyone appreciates is a very special week ahead for the Roman capital and Catholics in general.

With AP

 

Pilgrims in St Peter's Square watch a giant television screen showing a mass being held in the basilica.

A giant monitor in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, shows cardinals praying.

Brazilian Cardinal Odilo Schrerer attends the Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice Mass at St Peter's Basilica.

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Clarke ton rescues first innings

Watch the highlights from day one of the first Test between India and Australia in Chennai.

Phil Hughes in action before his dismissal on the opening morning of the first Test between Australia and India. Source: The Daily Telegraph

Shane Watson and David Warner have consolidated after Australia lost two wickets in the first session. Source: The Daily Telegraph

INDIA's controversial snubbing of the video-review system has blown up in its face after skipper Michael Clarke rode his luck to rescue Australia with an epic unbeaten century in the first Test.

It was a momentous day for Clarke (103no), who thumped his 23rd Test ton to surpass the iconic Sir Donald Bradman (6996 Test runs) and become just the 10th Australian to enter the 7000-run club.

Check out the Fox Sports scoreboard.

The run-machine found a surprise accomplice in debutant Moises Henriques (66), who batted superbly to steer the tourists (7/316) to safe ground at stumps on day one at MA Chidambaram Stadium.

With Australia teetering at 5/153 after Ravichandran Ashwin (6-88) ran riot, their top dog, Clarke, and newest pup, Henriques, blasted 151 for the sixth wicket to sucker-punch the Indians.

But Clarke needed a get-out-of-jail card, with India left to rue their decision not to have the Decision Review System (DRS) available in this four-Test series.

Indian great Sachin Tendulkar has vehemently opposed the use of technology in cricket, but the home side needed the rewind button more than ever to remove Australia's best batsman.

The sliding-doors moment came just before tea. With Australia shaky at 5/206 and Clarke on 39, the skipper prodded at an Ashwin delivery that Cheteshwar Pujara claimed at short leg.

The Indians celebrated wildly. The problem was umpire Kumar Dharmasena saw and heard nothing. And with no video-official upstairs, the Indians were rendered powerless as replays showed Clarke got a healthy inside edge.

It was a crushing blow for the home side, who watched helplessly as Clarke surged before cracking a mid-off boundary to post his century off 168 balls.

"I thought at first what are these guys appealing for ... at first glance, it looked like it rubbed his thigh-pad but once I saw the big screen, it was a different opinion," Henriques said with a wry grin.

"We didn't speak about it, but when he (Clarke) saw the replay at the tea break he realised he was a bit lucky."

A rueful Ashwin added: "It was quite clear for me he hit the ball, that's why we all went up.

"At the end of the day it does happen ... the umpire was an off-spinner himself."

Henriques, Australia's 432nd Test cricketer, was outstanding. The 26-year-old allrounder arrived at the crease with Australia in trouble but he showed the sagacity of a veteran, playing confidently to post his half-century from 101 balls.

"Luckily after the first ball the nerves died down a little bit but they were going through the roof waiting to bat," he said.

"Then when that wicket fell and having to walk out the legs started to turn to jelly. But after that first ball and after the first run things started to calm down a little.

"I certainly think I had the opportunity to make it my best innings but it was a little bit disappointing, I really wanted to get through the day and make sure we finished five wickets down.

"I could have been a little bit more ruthless at the end if I was going to be critical. But if someone said youre going to have 60-odd on debut Id take it."

Henriques finished the day with strapping around his lower left leg but he said: "Im sweet to bowl. No dramas at all."

While Henriques stepped up, the day belonged to Clarke.

Having plundered a record 1595 runs at 106.33 in the 2012 calendar year, the 31-year-old reached a special milestone when he moved past The Don with a single off Ashwin to move to eight.

Later, he ticked another box, outperforming another icon, Ricky Ponting, at parallel stages in their Test careers.

After 90 Tests, former skipper Ponting had compiled 7062 runs at 55.61. In his 90th Test, Clarke finished the day with 7092 at 53.32.

Ponting had 22 centuries. Clarke now has 23.

Given the clay-like appearance of the wicket, the toss was crucial and after calling successfully, Clarke had no hesitation choosing to bat first.

Ed Cowan (29) began briskly, as evidenced by his thumping six off Harbhajan, but he departed just balls later, stumped by MS Dhoni attempting to hammer Ashwin to leave Australia 1-64.

The tourists then slumped to 2-72 when Phil Hughes (6) played on attempting to cut Ashwin.

Shane Watson (28) and David Warner (59) guided the tourists safely to 2/126, but after lunch the duo and Wade departed in quick succession to leave Australia reeling at 5/153.

Ashwin trapped Watson lbw from just the first over of the second session before doing the same to Warner just as the aggressive opener had his first offshore ton in sight.

And when Wade became the third lbw victim midway through the second session, it was left to Clarke to produce the type of heroics befitting Bradman.

"He wasnt too different to when Ive batted with him before in Shield cricket. He likes to smile out there and we enjoy our cricket and enjoy batting together," Henriques said.

"I think that relaxing, calming effect that he has and that confidence that he has as a batsman starts rubbing off on the people that he bats with as well."

Of the dusty Chennai pitch, Henriques said: "There wasn't much seam movement or anything like that but both their quicks were getting it to reverse and I think with our quicks theyll probably penetrate the wicket a little bit more than what those guys did.

"Hopefully with guys like Jimmy (James Pattinson), Peter (Siddle) and Mitch (Starc) with a little bit more air-speed ... there was certainly reverse swing so I think the key with reverse swing is to try to bowl to new batsmen with it and be smart with your fields.

"It was a day-one wicket so that might change as the wicket wears on."

PHOTO DISPUTE

We are unable to publish photographs from the Test series in India due to a dispute between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and international news organisations.The BCCI has refused access to Test venues to established picture agencies including our supplier Getty Images. News Limited considers the BCCI action to be a strike against freedom of the press. News Limited, along with international photo and news agencies, is not providing live imagery from the tour in protest.

 

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