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Berlin [Germany], Nov. 21 : German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced that she will run for a fourth term as chancellor in the next year's crucial national election.

Asserting the complex challenges she will face and "absurd" expectations Germany could take a world leadership role when Barack Obama leaves office, Merkel insisted that the decision was not easy for her to make.

"I have spent an unending amount of time contemplating this, as to stand as a candidate for a fourth time after 11 years in power is anything other than a trivial decision, neither for the country, for the party, nor for me," the Guardian quoted Merkel as saying in a press conference in Berlin on Sunday night.

Karachi [Pakistan], Nov. 21 : Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali has admitted that the team is having problems while facing short-pitched deliveries, saying they are working on their ability to handle short balls, but they require time to do that.

Pakistan on Sunday suffered an eight-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the first Test of the ongoing two-match series at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

"If you come to this part of the world, you do expect that [short-pitched deliveries].You expect teams from subcontinent to be tested with that short stuff and we all knew that. But as time goes on, we'll get better, and we're hopeful to turn things around quickly," Azhar was quoted as saying by Express Tribune.

Johannesburg [South Africa], Nov.21 : England pacer Stuart Broad is all set to miss the third Test of the ongoing five-match series against India after himself ruling out of the game, saying a strained tendon will need another couple of weeks to recover.

The ace England pacer, who took four wickets and help dismiss India for 204 on Day Four of the ongoing second Test in Visakhapatnam despite his foot injury, believes injuries are an occupational hazard.

"So physically it has been quite a tough Test match but it's all part of the job that you have to crack on a little bit," Broad was quoted as saying by Sport24.

"I think there are plans to move on once this Test match is finished to try and offload the tendon a little bit for a few days," he added.

Ludhiana (Punjab) [India], Nov. 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to demonetize high value currency has badly affected Ludhiana's hosiery industry.

The knitwear industry in Ludhiana contributes about 80 percent of the total woolen/acrylic output of the economy and generates employment for over 400,000 people in the city.

Demonetisation has dealt a severe blow to small time traders and shopkeepers, whose 90 percent trade happens in cash.

"The Ludhiana hosiery industry is the mother of industry which has almost 12,000 units. The sudden ban of notes has affected our industry in a very bad manner," said Ludhiana Knitwear Club Chairman Vinod Thapar.

New Delhi [India], Nov. 21 : Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Monday was seen speaking to people standing in the queues outside ATMs and banks, which began forming in the wee hours of morning in Delhi.

Interacting with the locals, Rahul asked them about the inconvenience they were facing and called on them to voice their indignation against the Centre's move of demonetisation, saying that it has become a major hassle in day to day life for the common man.

Rahul met with people in queues at Jahangirpuri, Inderlok and Zakira area.

This move by the congress leader came right before the huddle by the opposition in both Houses of Parliament today at 9:30 a.m. to discuss fresh strategy to counter the Centre's move to demonetise high value currency notes.

London [UK], Nov. 21 : Ace British tennis player Andy Murray ended his 2016 campaign on a perfect note after defeating Novak Djokovic in straights in the summit clash of the ATP World Tour Finals, assuming the mantle of year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings.

Murray dethroned Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 in a contest that lasted for an hour and 43 minutes to earn his first title at the ATP finals and make sure he remained No. 1 until next season.

The Briton replaced Djokovic as the top-ranked player in Paris, but the second-ranked Serb could have regained the numero one position by winning the summit clash on Sunday at the O2 Arena.