Dinesh Chandimal defended the aggressive approach by Sri Lankans, by saying that it wasn’t pre-planned to play aggressive, but it was the way it happened A Getty Images With Sri Lankan batsmen in the form of Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis, all being dismissed on a similar occasion for aiming to be aggressive and playing ambitious strokes, against hosts South Africa in the first of the three-Test series at the St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth, Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal defended it by saying that it wasn’t pre-planned to play aggressive, but it was the way it happened. The opening three wickets was a cause of consternation.
Month: December 2016
Report: Kerry and Erekat orchestrated UN anti-settlement resolution
Egyptian news website Al-Youm al-Saba’a, which is considered to be Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s mouth piece, published a supposed protocol on Tuesday of a meeting that was held in Washington on December 12 between US Secretary of State John Kerry and US National Security Advisor Susan Rice and a Palestinian delegation headed by senior Palestinian Liberation Organization member Saeb Erekat. The protocol states that Kerry and Rice told the Palestinian delegation that the current US administration under President Barack Obama would be willing to cooperate with them in the UN Security Council given that the resolution would be a balanced one.
Kerry to lay out vision for Israeli-Palestinian peace
US Secretary of State John Kerry will lay out his vision for ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a speech on Wednesday, days after the United States cleared the way for a UN resolution calling for an end to settlement construction while simultaneously declaring them illegal. The speech, less than a month before President Barack Obama leaves office, is expected to be the administration’s last word on a decades-old dispute that Kerry had hoped to resolve during his four years as America’s top diplomat.
Swans sack Bradley to leave themselves searching for third boss of the season
Swansea are seeking their fifth manager in under three years after bringing Bob Bradley’s sorry 85-day reign to an end. Bradley, the first American to manage in the Premier League, lasted just 11 games, with only a superior goal difference to Hull keeping Swansea from the bottom of the Premier League.
Macau’s gaming industry to see better days in 2017, says Morgan Stanley
Investment bank Morgan Stanley raised its expectation for Macau revenue growth in 2017 on new casino openings and better infrastructure, but warned of risks from further Chinese government crackdowns on graft. Gross gaming revenue growth has been raised to 10 per cent in 2017 from its previous estimate of 2 per cent, according to Morgan Stanley’s latest report.
LeEco breaks ground on 12 billion yuan Deqing car assembly
Cash-starved company says it’s on schedule to produce as many as 400,000 electric vehicles a year by 2018 LeEco, the cash-starved video streaming service and TV maker founded by Jia Yueting, has broken ground on a 12 billion yuan car factory in China, with assurances that it’s on schedule to produce as many as 400,000 electric vehicles a year by 2018. ) county of Zhejiang province, close to the tourist destinations of Moganshan and Hangzhou, will commence construction after more than four months’ of preparation work, said Zhang Hailiang, chief executive of LeSupercar, the LeEco unit that’s producing the vehicles.
Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images
Philippines authorities have made the biggest drug seizure in the country’s history, confiscating 2,000 pounds and 1,110 liters of liquid methamphetamine worth about $120 million in a series of raids this month. “It is not only the biggest haul for this year, but so far the biggest in history,” Philippines Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre told reporters at a news conference in Manila on Tuesday.
Highway and bridge projects could benefit from ABS issues. Photo: Xinhua
Mainland regulators will for the first time let public private partnership projects raise funds through asset-backed securities within just two years, which market players believe can attract more private capital into the government-led infrastructure projects. Private companies now can exit PPP projects as early as two years into their operations, compared with the wait of more than a decade previously.
Ranji Trophy: Gigantic knock was triple centurion Samit Gohel’s sole goal
Gujarat opener carries his bat through for a record 359 against Odisha in Ranji Trophy quarters yesterday to better Surrey’s Bobby Abel’s 357 in 1899 Gujarat opener Samit Gohel at Jaipur airport after his record-breaking triple hundred against Odisha in Ranji Trophy quarter-final yesterday Triple hundreds are the flavour of the season. After Karun Nair’s record-breaking triple against England in Chennai recently, 26-year-old Samit Gohel, from the dairy hub Anand district in Gujarat, scored an unbeaten 359 in their Ranji Trophy quarter-final win over Odisha in Jaipur yesterday.
Injured Bangladesh keeper Mushfiqur Rahim misses remaining ODIs in New Zealand
Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim is helped from the field after injuring his leg during the one-day international cricket match between New Zealand and Bangladesh at Hagley Park in Christchurch on December 26, 2016. AFP PHOTO / Marty Melville The first-choice stumper, also a key middle order batsman, suffered the injury during his team’s defeat by 77 runs in the Boxing Day match at Christchurch.
Pregnant and vulnerable on the road to freedom
Thousands of migrants are traveling in Latin America hoping to head north for a better life in the United States. But the long journey is proving to be a breeding ground for human traffickers preying on the vulnerable.
Hanukkah candelabrum lit up at Prague centre
Lights on a nine-branched candelabrum were lit up to celebrate the eight-day Jewish holiday Hanukkah in the Prague centre Tuesday evening. The participants in the ceremony paid respects to the victims of the latest terrorist attack in Berlin last week, which claimed 12 lives, including that of one Czech woman.
Poll: One-third of Czechs plan to make New Year’s resolution
Roughly one-third of Czechs, mainly young people under 29, plan to make New Year’s resolutions that most often concern a healthy lifestyle, according to a STEM/MARK poll conducted for the Naturhouse chain of diet advisory centres and released to CTK. More than a half of the polled have ever made a New Year’s resolution.
Survey: Czechs want to know their roots
Most Czechs consider it important to know their roots, but only less than a half seek information about their ancestors, according to a survey conducted by NMS Market Research for the Post Bellum organisation dealing with the 20th-century history and released to CTK on Tuesday. More than a half of Czechs consider their family destiny during the communist regime and under WWII as well as relations of their ancestors the most important topics from Czech history, the poll shows.
Court quashes verdict in Nagyova’s intelligence abuse case
A Czech court of appeal has again quashed the verdict acquitting Jana Necasova, former prime minister’s close aide and current wife, and several other suspects of military intelligence abuse, Czech Television reported on Tuesday. Necasova, still under her former name Nagyova, is suspected of abusing the VZ to gain information about the life of Radka Necasova, former wife of prime minister Petr Necas in 2012 in order to speed up his divorce.
KDU-CSL and TOP 09 heads have problems to crack
The chairmen of the Czech junior government Christian Democrats and the opposition rightist TOP 09, Pavel Belobradek and Miroslav Kalousek, respectively, had no reason to rejoice during the Christmas holidays, Lukas Jelinek wrote in daily Pravo on Tuesday. Belobradek, 40, who has led the party since 2010, may be faced with a serious rival in the election of the chairperson next year.
Samoans march through Mangere to remember ‘Black Saturday’
One of the darkest days in Samoan-New Zealand relations has been commemorated by a small group of artists and activists in Mangere on Wednesday. Led by Andy Leleisi’uao, around 25 people marched from the Samoan Consulate in Mangere via the Mangere Lawn Cemetery to Mangere Mountain to remember the eight killed on December 28, 1929, in what has been coined, ‘Black Saturday’ by historians.
NASA Webb Telescope Structure is Sound After Vibration Testing Detects Anomaly
The 18-segment gold coated primary mirror of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is raised into vertical alignment in the largest clean room at the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, on Nov. 2, 2016. The secondary mirror mount booms are folded down into stowed for launch configuration.
Trump signals shift from Obama’s focus on multilateralism
For eight years, President Barack Obama’s foreign policy doctrine has been rooted in a belief that while the United States can take action around the word on its own, it rarely should. His successor, President-elect Donald Trump, has derided some of the same international partnerships Obama and his recent predecessors have promoted, raising the prospect that the Republican’s “America First” agenda might well mean an America more willing to act alone.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino still has fond memories of time at Southampton
Pochettino swapped St Mary’s for White Hart Lane in the summer of 2014 after leading Saints to eighth, then the club’s highest ever finish in the Premier League. The disappointment of Pochettino’s departure was quickly eased as Saints finish seventh and sixth in consecutive seasons under Ronald Koeman but some fans still feel bitter towards the Argentinian.
Petrol price tops $2 a litre
The national price of 91 petrol has topped $2 per litre, but with some stations still charging lower prices it pays to shop around. The price of 91 octane has continued to climb since the end of November after oil-producing nations decided to slash production for the start of 2017.
Eden Hazard is the one player defenders really fear… the Chelsea…
Secrets of Conte’s success: After 16 years at Juve, he is so obsessed with winning his daughter’s name translates to ‘Victory’ – but he has a human touch to soften his ferocious work ethic Giggs in frame for Swansea job: Man United legend back on Welsh club’s wishlist despite poor interview last time Carragher: Bradley’s sacking inevitable after Boxing Day hiding but Swansea’s issues began when they got rid of Monk Klopp insists there was no way he would have dropped Firmino after Christmas Eve arrest as Brazilian stars in win Liverpool keep pressure on Chelsea by thrashing Stoke: Reds run riot after falling behind to leapfrog Pep’s City into second Sturridge insists he’s not had any issues with being left out after finally netting his first Premier League goal of the seaosn Manchester United target Lindelof set to sign new contract with Benfica that could raise buy-out clause to over A … (more)
‘The dangers are hidden’: rescue shows perils of Lake Illawarra entrance
Windang surf lifesavers Jayson Norris , Doug Hockey, Russell Trott and Kaye Norris at Lake Illawarra. Picture: Sylvia Liber A mass-rescue at Windang on Boxing Day shows the dangers of swimming at the entrance of Lake Illawarra aren’t always visible, an Illawarra surf lifesaver says.
U.S. charges Chinese citizens with hacking, insider trading
Prosecutors said the men made over $4-million by placing trades in at least five company stocks based on inside information from unnamed law firms, including about deals involving Intel Corp. and Pitney Bowes Inc. Prosecutors said the men made over $4-million by placing trades in at least five company stocks based on inside information from unnamed law firms, including about deals involving Intel Corp. and Pitney Bowes Inc. Three Chinese citizens have been criminally charged in the United States with trading on confidential corporate information obtained by hacking into networks and servers of law firms working on mergers, U.S. prosecutors said on Tuesday.
One Group of Oil Investors Didn’t Cash In on Crude’s 2016 Rally
Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude futures have gained 45 percent so far this year as OPEC engineered the first global output cut in 15 years. The U.S. Oil Fund LP, an ETF designed to track oil prices that has seen investors pour in nearly $3 billion in the past two years, only grew 6.6 percent over the same period.
Modi’s Mastery of the Message to Be Tested as India Enters 2017
In what will be a busy year of state elections, economists are slashing India’s growth forecasts because Modi’s unprecedented cash clampdown is denting demand. The experiment has missed its Yet, analysts point to the fact that India hasn’t seen bloody riots of the kind witnessed in Venezuela, which followed Modi in banning higher-value banknotes before it reversed the move .
Splendid Isolation:
Israel’s foreign ministry has said the country is “reducing” ties with nations that voted for last week’s UN Security Council resolution demanding a halt to settlement building in Palestinian territory.
Cuba passes law banning naming sites after Castro
President Raul Castro had already announced that his older brother did not want to be immortalized with statues or public places named with his name. Photo: Getty Images Cuba’s National Assembly approved a law on Tuesday that bans erecting commemorative statues of Fidel Castro or naming public places after him, in accordance with the wishes of the revolutionary leader who died last month.
Ex-Argentine leader indicted, linked to nuns and guns
Former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez was indicted on Tuesday on charges she ran a corruption scheme with a public works secretary who was arrested in June while trying to stash millions of dollars in a convent. A federal judge accused them and other officials of the Fernandez administration of crimes “including the deliberate seizure of funds principally meant for public road works.”
Man dies during horse race at Mexico girl’s ‘quinceanera’
Heavy traffic blocks a road as visitors try to get to a party honoring Rubi Ibarrafor her down-home 15th birthday near the village of Laguna Seca, San Luis Potosi State, Mexico, Monday Dec. 26, 2016. Rubi’s 15th birthday party resembled a rock concert on Monday after thousands of people showed up in response to an invitation by her father that went viral and made her the toast of the country.
Child hospitalised after dog bite
The boy was flown at 2am this morning from Wairoa to Napier in the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter before being put on an aircraft to Wellington. Photo / Supplied A child was airlifted from Wairoa Hospital by the Hawke’s Bay Rescue helicopter early this morning with serious facial injuries after being bitten by a dog.
Stoke’s poor league run at Liverpool continues after 4-1 loss as…
Secrets of Conte’s success: After 16 years at Juve, he is so obsessed with winning his daughter’s name translates to ‘Victory’ – but he has a human touch to soften his ferocious work ethic Giggs in frame for Swansea job: Man United legend back on Welsh club’s wishlist despite poor interview last time Carragher: Bradley’s sacking inevitable after Boxing Day hiding but Swansea’s issues began when they got rid of Monk Klopp insists there was no way he would have dropped Firmino after Christmas Eve arrest as Brazilian stars in win Liverpool keep pressure on Chelsea by thrashing Stoke: Reds run riot after falling behind to leapfrog Pep’s City into second Sturridge insists he’s not had any issues with being left out after finally netting his first Premier League goal of the seaosn Manchester United target Lindelof set to sign new contract with Benfica that could raise buy-out clause to over A … (more)
Facebook Faces Additional Fake News Woes
Adding to Facebook’s “fake news” woes, fabricated reports caused its Safety Check feature to send out a false alarm, on Tuesday. After a number of stories reported an explosion in Bangkok, Thailand, the social giant sent one of its Safety Checks to users in the region.
Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Departs 6th Fleet
The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower , guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto , and guided-missile destroyers USS Mason and USS Nitze concluded missions in the Mediterranean, which included maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and air support to Operation Inherent Resolve . Upon arriving in the eastern Mediterranean from the Red Sea, Ike conducted dual carrier operations with the French ship Charles de Gaulle to combine their efforts in support of OIR in Iraq and Syria.
Recombinant type-5 vector-based ebola vaccine safe
For healthy adults from Sierra Leon, the recombinant type-5 vector-based Ebola vaccine is safe and immunogenic, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in The Lancet . Feng-Cai Zhu, from the Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Nanjing, China, and colleagues recruited healthy HIV-negative adults aged 18 to 50 years, with no history of Ebola virus infection and no previous immunization with other Ebola candidate vaccines.
More years lost for whites versus South Asians, blacks with T2DM
Whites with type 2 diabetes have more life years lost than South Asians or blacks, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in Diabetes Care . Alison K. Wright, Ph.D., from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, and colleagues conducted a cohort study using Clinical Practice Research Datalink data from 383 general practices in England.
Catterick
Fattsota , Hubertas , Shrubland , Aramist , Allfredandnobell , Highland Castle , Framley Garth , After Toniight , Man Look , Parisian Charmer Donald McCain’s yard has won this twice in the last five years and Flat winner Man Look faced a stiff task on his hurdling debut at Newbury – better is expected here. Hubertas was beaten a long way over further when second at Market Rasen but the winner has gone in again since.
Worcester Backgammon Club host top competition
AT least two grandmasters will compete as Worcester host their second Backgammon Christmas Turkey Tourney tomorrow at Barbourne Ex-Servicemen’s Club. Thirty-two played at the Lamb and Flag, The Tything, last year but they have now moved to larger premises in The Moors.
Obama, Japan’s Abe to seek reconciliation at Pearl Harbor
Putting 75 years of resentment behind them, the leaders of the United States and Japan are coming together at Pearl Harbor for a historic pilgrimage to the site where a devastating surprise attack sent America marching into World War II. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit Tuesday with President Barack Obama is powerful proof that the former enemies have transcended the recriminatory impulses that weighed down relations after the war, Japan’s government has said.
Court rejects bail appeal by activist ‘Pai Dao Din’
THE Region IV Court of Appeal in Khon Kaen yesterday rejected a petition by pro-democracy activist Jatupat Boonpatararaksa, who is better known as “Pai Dao Din”, which sought to block the revoking of his bail. In a video-conference hearing, the court upheld the bail revocation on the grounds that Jatupat had shown a “lack of consideration” regarding state authority and the law, and that he might tamper with evidence if released.