Thousands of Sri Lankan troops Friday joined a massive clean up operation to eliminate mosquito-breeding grounds as part of a national effort to contain the dengue virus, officials said. Soldiers removed garbage piles and helped clear blocked drains in public schools to fight dengue, which is spread by mosquitoes, after more than 75 deaths from the disease this year.
"The clean up operation began in schools with the help of the military," health ministry spokesman Dharma Wanninayake said. "The programme is being extended across the country in the coming days."
Official figures show that 15,000 people were infected with dengue in the first five months of this year compared to 10,300 in the corresponding period last year.
However, health officials say the numbers could be much higher because many sufferers are not counted or seek treatment from private hospitals.
Dengue fever causes severe flu-like symptoms and there are no specific medications available to treat the disease.
Most people recover within two weeks, but it can be fatal if it leads to haemorrhaging.
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Sunday, July 1, 2012
Opportunity knocks for Murray after Nadal exit
Rafael Nadal's nightmare on Centre Court was looking like Andy Murray's dream Wimbledon scenario on Friday as the All England Club came to terms with one of the biggest shocks in its 126-year history. World number two Nadal, the champion in 2008 and 2010, and 11 times a Grand Slam title winner, was knocked out of Wimbledon by world number 100 Lukas Rosol, 6-7 (9/11), 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a Thursday night sensation.
While the great Spaniard retreated to Mallorca to lick his wounds, Murray was suddenly enjoying a clear sight of a first Wimbledon final having seen his long-time nemesis knocked out.
For the last two years, Nadal had proved a bridge too far for the world number four, winning semi-finals in 2010 and 2011.
Nadal had also won their quarter-final meeting in 2008.
But with Nadal out of the equation, the 25-year-old Briton can start planning realistically to become the first British finalist since Bunny Austin in 1938, even of becoming the country's first champion since Fred Perry in 1936.
Next up for Murray is Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis who beat the Scot at the All England Club in 2006.
After that, he could face big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic before the likes of Andy Roddick, the three-time runner-up, who beat him in the 2009 semi-finals, seventh seed David Ferrer and ninth seed Juan Martin del Potro present themselves as potential last eight opponents.
Murray reached the third round by cutting Croat giant Ivo Karlovic down to size, and he believes that surviving such a barrage of big serving will work in his favour as the tournament heads for a second week.
"You need to show good patience, mental strength. I think I did a good job of that," said Murray.
However, Murray insisted on Friday that Nadal's defeat would not be a factor in his planning.
"It's irrelevant to me unless I reach the semi-finals. I have a guy who has played in a Grand Slam final and that's my focus," he said.
"If anything the draw has opened up for Philipp Kohlschreiber. He would have been expecting to face Rafa in his next match. I face Marcos and maybe he will have a performance like Rosol."
Murray added: "I was surprised by Rafa's defeat, but from what I saw of the match, Rosol just went for rockets and came out swinging."
If he makes it to the semi-finals, Murray could face Rosol, although a more likely opponent would be French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who defeated Roger Federer on his way to the semi-finals last year.
America's Mardy Fish, back in action after heart surgery, and highly-rated young Belgian David Goffin are also in the mix in the bottom quarter of the draw.
Meanwhile, Rosol, whose only other trips to Wimbledon had ended in defeats in the first round of qualifying on five successive occasions, was still struggling to come to terms with his new-found fame on Friday.
He said he didn't know how to describe his achievement.
"I have no idea -- maybe like B team in the Czech Republic that can beat Real Madrid," said Rosol, who will bid to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time when he faces German 27th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber on Saturday.
Rosol's Davis Cup teammate Radek Stepanek praised his compatriot and said he had finally delivered on his promise.
"He put a million on red," said Stepanek.
"I have been with Lukas in all Davis Cup ties for four or five years. We knew that he hits the ball hard from anywhere because it was missing the court. Yesterday it was an example when everything goes with you, he hit winners from everywhere."
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While the great Spaniard retreated to Mallorca to lick his wounds, Murray was suddenly enjoying a clear sight of a first Wimbledon final having seen his long-time nemesis knocked out.
For the last two years, Nadal had proved a bridge too far for the world number four, winning semi-finals in 2010 and 2011.
Nadal had also won their quarter-final meeting in 2008.
But with Nadal out of the equation, the 25-year-old Briton can start planning realistically to become the first British finalist since Bunny Austin in 1938, even of becoming the country's first champion since Fred Perry in 1936.
Next up for Murray is Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis who beat the Scot at the All England Club in 2006.
After that, he could face big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic before the likes of Andy Roddick, the three-time runner-up, who beat him in the 2009 semi-finals, seventh seed David Ferrer and ninth seed Juan Martin del Potro present themselves as potential last eight opponents.
Murray reached the third round by cutting Croat giant Ivo Karlovic down to size, and he believes that surviving such a barrage of big serving will work in his favour as the tournament heads for a second week.
"You need to show good patience, mental strength. I think I did a good job of that," said Murray.
However, Murray insisted on Friday that Nadal's defeat would not be a factor in his planning.
"It's irrelevant to me unless I reach the semi-finals. I have a guy who has played in a Grand Slam final and that's my focus," he said.
"If anything the draw has opened up for Philipp Kohlschreiber. He would have been expecting to face Rafa in his next match. I face Marcos and maybe he will have a performance like Rosol."
Murray added: "I was surprised by Rafa's defeat, but from what I saw of the match, Rosol just went for rockets and came out swinging."
If he makes it to the semi-finals, Murray could face Rosol, although a more likely opponent would be French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who defeated Roger Federer on his way to the semi-finals last year.
America's Mardy Fish, back in action after heart surgery, and highly-rated young Belgian David Goffin are also in the mix in the bottom quarter of the draw.
Meanwhile, Rosol, whose only other trips to Wimbledon had ended in defeats in the first round of qualifying on five successive occasions, was still struggling to come to terms with his new-found fame on Friday.
He said he didn't know how to describe his achievement.
"I have no idea -- maybe like B team in the Czech Republic that can beat Real Madrid," said Rosol, who will bid to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time when he faces German 27th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber on Saturday.
Rosol's Davis Cup teammate Radek Stepanek praised his compatriot and said he had finally delivered on his promise.
"He put a million on red," said Stepanek.
"I have been with Lukas in all Davis Cup ties for four or five years. We knew that he hits the ball hard from anywhere because it was missing the court. Yesterday it was an example when everything goes with you, he hit winners from everywhere."
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Sharapova, Clijsters on course for Wimbledon crunch
World number one Maria Sharapova and four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters are on course for an emotional last eight clash at Wimbledon after breezing into the fourth round on Friday. Sharapova cruised to a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Taiwan's Hsieh Su-Wei despite blustery conditions on Court One playing havoc with her serve.
"The conditions weren't easy but it's just about being patient and maybe a little bit smarter," Sharapova said. "Considering the conditions, I'm pretty happy with the way I played."
French Open champion Sharapova will play German 15th seed Sabine Lisicki for place in the quarter-finals in rematch of last year's semi-final which the Russian won in straight sets.
Lisicki, who reached the last four as a wildcard in 2011, downed American teenager Sloane Stephens 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 6-2 and immediately set her sights on a revenge mission against Sharapova.
"I love these big matches," Lisicki said. "She's a great fighter and is full of confidence now.
"It's another challenge. I just have to go for my shots and can't make too many mistakes."
Clijsters, playing at Wimbledon for the last time, enjoyed an easier than expected path to the last 16 when breathing problems forced her 12th seeded Russian opponent Vera Zvonareva to quit.
Zvonareva, runner-up in the 2010 Wimbledon final, left Court One in tears after calling for a medical time-out midway through the second set.
She returned to play one more game but the breathing problem was still troubling her so she retired with 29-year-old Clijsters 6-3, 4-3 ahead.
"I heard her coughing a lot. After long rallies it took her a long time to recover," said Clijsters, who will quit tennis after the US Open later this year.
"She's a fighter. We've had some really tough battles, so it's sad to see her have to pull out."
Next up for Clijsters is a clash with Angelique Kerber, the eighth seeded German who will be playing in the fourth round for the first time after a 6-2, 6-3 win against Christina McHale of the United States.
If Sharapova and former world number one Clijsters both come through their last 16 matches unscathed the two giants of the women's game will clash for a place in the semi-finals.
Elsewhere, Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwanska ended Heather Watson's fairytale run with a ruthless 6-0, 6-2 victory in just 58 minutes.
Watson's win over Jamie Hampton in her previous match made the 20-year-old the first British woman to reach the third round for 10 years.
That victory came hot on the heels of her first round triumph over Iveta Benesova -- the first a British woman had won on Centre Court since Jo Durie in 1985.
But Radswanska's extra class proved too much for Watson on her return to Centre Court and the Pole, twice a Wimbledon quarter-finalist, next faces Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi, who defied her lowly 145 world ranking to shock 20th seed Nadia Petrova 6-3, 7-6 (8/6).
It was another impressive scalp for the 20-year-old, who only won for the first time in a grand slam when she beat compatriot and 16th seed Flavia Pennetta in this year's first round.
Chinese 30th seed Peng Shuai stormed into the fourth round with a 6-1, 6-2 demolition of Arantxa Rus.
Holland's Rus had shocked US Open champion and fifth seed Sam Stosur in the previous round, but she couldn't summon up a repeat of that dynamic display.
Peng, who also reached the last 16 at Wimbledon 12 months ago, next faces 17th seed Maria Kirilenko after the Russian thrashed Romania's Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-1 to reach the Wimbledon fourth round for the first time.
Peng, 26, has never played in a Grand Slam quarter-final, falling in the fourth round three times in 2011 at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
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"The conditions weren't easy but it's just about being patient and maybe a little bit smarter," Sharapova said. "Considering the conditions, I'm pretty happy with the way I played."
French Open champion Sharapova will play German 15th seed Sabine Lisicki for place in the quarter-finals in rematch of last year's semi-final which the Russian won in straight sets.
Lisicki, who reached the last four as a wildcard in 2011, downed American teenager Sloane Stephens 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 6-2 and immediately set her sights on a revenge mission against Sharapova.
"I love these big matches," Lisicki said. "She's a great fighter and is full of confidence now.
"It's another challenge. I just have to go for my shots and can't make too many mistakes."
Clijsters, playing at Wimbledon for the last time, enjoyed an easier than expected path to the last 16 when breathing problems forced her 12th seeded Russian opponent Vera Zvonareva to quit.
Zvonareva, runner-up in the 2010 Wimbledon final, left Court One in tears after calling for a medical time-out midway through the second set.
She returned to play one more game but the breathing problem was still troubling her so she retired with 29-year-old Clijsters 6-3, 4-3 ahead.
"I heard her coughing a lot. After long rallies it took her a long time to recover," said Clijsters, who will quit tennis after the US Open later this year.
"She's a fighter. We've had some really tough battles, so it's sad to see her have to pull out."
Next up for Clijsters is a clash with Angelique Kerber, the eighth seeded German who will be playing in the fourth round for the first time after a 6-2, 6-3 win against Christina McHale of the United States.
If Sharapova and former world number one Clijsters both come through their last 16 matches unscathed the two giants of the women's game will clash for a place in the semi-finals.
Elsewhere, Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwanska ended Heather Watson's fairytale run with a ruthless 6-0, 6-2 victory in just 58 minutes.
Watson's win over Jamie Hampton in her previous match made the 20-year-old the first British woman to reach the third round for 10 years.
That victory came hot on the heels of her first round triumph over Iveta Benesova -- the first a British woman had won on Centre Court since Jo Durie in 1985.
But Radswanska's extra class proved too much for Watson on her return to Centre Court and the Pole, twice a Wimbledon quarter-finalist, next faces Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi, who defied her lowly 145 world ranking to shock 20th seed Nadia Petrova 6-3, 7-6 (8/6).
It was another impressive scalp for the 20-year-old, who only won for the first time in a grand slam when she beat compatriot and 16th seed Flavia Pennetta in this year's first round.
Chinese 30th seed Peng Shuai stormed into the fourth round with a 6-1, 6-2 demolition of Arantxa Rus.
Holland's Rus had shocked US Open champion and fifth seed Sam Stosur in the previous round, but she couldn't summon up a repeat of that dynamic display.
Peng, who also reached the last 16 at Wimbledon 12 months ago, next faces 17th seed Maria Kirilenko after the Russian thrashed Romania's Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-1 to reach the Wimbledon fourth round for the first time.
Peng, 26, has never played in a Grand Slam quarter-final, falling in the fourth round three times in 2011 at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
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Spurs's Corluka moves to Moscow
Tottenham Hotspur announced Friday that defender Vedran Corluka was to move to Lokomotiv Moscow. The 26-year-old joined Spurs from Manchester City for a reported £8.5 million in 2008 and linked up with Croatia team-mate Luka Modric at White Hart Lane.
Corluka made 110 appearances for Tottenham, scoring once, but found himself behind Kyle Walker in the pecking order, and he was farmed out to German side Bayer Leverkusen for the second half of this past season while also critcising then Spurs manager Harry Redknapp for a lack of squad rotation.
Lokomotiv made their move this week under new coach Slaven Bilic, who was in charge of Croatia for six years before stepping down after their elimination from Euro 2012.
"We have reached agreement with Lokomotiv Moscow for the transfer of Vedran Corluka," Tottenham said in a statement on their website.
"We wish Vedran all the best for the future."
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Corluka made 110 appearances for Tottenham, scoring once, but found himself behind Kyle Walker in the pecking order, and he was farmed out to German side Bayer Leverkusen for the second half of this past season while also critcising then Spurs manager Harry Redknapp for a lack of squad rotation.
Lokomotiv made their move this week under new coach Slaven Bilic, who was in charge of Croatia for six years before stepping down after their elimination from Euro 2012.
"We have reached agreement with Lokomotiv Moscow for the transfer of Vedran Corluka," Tottenham said in a statement on their website.
"We wish Vedran all the best for the future."
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Italy add to football's rich lexicon
Italy's return to the top ranks by reaching the final of Euro 2012 has added a few more words to the world's considerable footballing lexicon. "Calcioscommesse"
Italy's tournament started under a cloud, with betting (scommesse) scandal in football (calcio) once more sullying the country's reputation.
Defender Domenico Criscito even had to give up his place just before the team's departure for Poland after his room at the team's training camp was searched.
But after the "Totonero" (Black market lottery) in 1980 and the match-fixing "Calciopoli" (Football Monopoly) in 2006, Italy won the World Cup. A good sign?
"Biscotto"
Literally, "biscuit" or "cookie". Derived from horse-racing where the phrase "to give a biscuit" meant "to dope a horse", the term became synomous in football with two sides "having an arrangement".
Italy still has bad memories of a 2-2 draw between Sweden and Denmark in Euro 2004, which saw both Scandinian sides go through from the group stage at their expense.
Italy was afraid that a 2-2 draw between Spain and Croatia in the group stage this time round would have had the same result. But the Spanish won 1-0 with a last-minute goal.
"Rombo"
"Rhombus" or "lozenge". In football, a four-man midfield with one man hanging back.
Since the quarter finals, this has consisted of playmaker Andrea Pirlo, with Claudio Marchisio wide out right and Daniele De Rossi out left, with either Thiago Motta or Riccardo Montolivo further upfield.
In England the "rombo" is called the diamond formation, which aptly sums up coach Cesare Prandelli's midfield gems.
"Catenaccio"
Currently a word out of favour given Prandelli's success in revolutionising Italy's game based on possession of the ball and attacking.
But when Italy are ahead, as they were against Germany in the semi-final, the players know how to bolt the door (catenaccio) of its defence to get the win.
"Trilli Campanellino"
Italian name for the "Peter Pan" character "Tinker Bell", immortalised by Pirlo, whose nickname refers to the magic produced when the ball is at his feet and his flowing hair in the wind.
"Azzurri"
"The Blues." Nickname of the national side. Also called the "Nazionale" but never the "squadra azzurra" or "the blue team".
"Mezzapunta"
"Half a point." Refers to the supporting role in attack. A role currently occupied by Montolivo. More commonly used than "false nine" or "nine-and-a-half".
"Cucchiaio"
"The spoon." Italians don't call a chipped penalty a "Panenka", after Antonin Panenka, who scored the cheeky spot kick in the 1976 European Championship final to secure a win for Czechoslovakia against West Germany.
Instead, Italians call it "the spoon". In the quarter-final, Pirlo was only too happy to give England goalkeeper Joe Hart a taste of the spoon. After all, he had put out his tongue.
"Profondita"
"Depth." Or Prandelli's mantra, which he's been shouting at Mario Balotelli for the last two years.
But against Germany, "Super Mario" listened well and the lesson paid off. Launched into the "profondita" by Montolivo, he kept one step ahead of Philipp Lahm to score a magnificent second goal.
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Italy's tournament started under a cloud, with betting (scommesse) scandal in football (calcio) once more sullying the country's reputation.
Defender Domenico Criscito even had to give up his place just before the team's departure for Poland after his room at the team's training camp was searched.
But after the "Totonero" (Black market lottery) in 1980 and the match-fixing "Calciopoli" (Football Monopoly) in 2006, Italy won the World Cup. A good sign?
"Biscotto"
Literally, "biscuit" or "cookie". Derived from horse-racing where the phrase "to give a biscuit" meant "to dope a horse", the term became synomous in football with two sides "having an arrangement".
Italy still has bad memories of a 2-2 draw between Sweden and Denmark in Euro 2004, which saw both Scandinian sides go through from the group stage at their expense.
Italy was afraid that a 2-2 draw between Spain and Croatia in the group stage this time round would have had the same result. But the Spanish won 1-0 with a last-minute goal.
"Rombo"
"Rhombus" or "lozenge". In football, a four-man midfield with one man hanging back.
Since the quarter finals, this has consisted of playmaker Andrea Pirlo, with Claudio Marchisio wide out right and Daniele De Rossi out left, with either Thiago Motta or Riccardo Montolivo further upfield.
In England the "rombo" is called the diamond formation, which aptly sums up coach Cesare Prandelli's midfield gems.
"Catenaccio"
Currently a word out of favour given Prandelli's success in revolutionising Italy's game based on possession of the ball and attacking.
But when Italy are ahead, as they were against Germany in the semi-final, the players know how to bolt the door (catenaccio) of its defence to get the win.
"Trilli Campanellino"
Italian name for the "Peter Pan" character "Tinker Bell", immortalised by Pirlo, whose nickname refers to the magic produced when the ball is at his feet and his flowing hair in the wind.
"Azzurri"
"The Blues." Nickname of the national side. Also called the "Nazionale" but never the "squadra azzurra" or "the blue team".
"Mezzapunta"
"Half a point." Refers to the supporting role in attack. A role currently occupied by Montolivo. More commonly used than "false nine" or "nine-and-a-half".
"Cucchiaio"
"The spoon." Italians don't call a chipped penalty a "Panenka", after Antonin Panenka, who scored the cheeky spot kick in the 1976 European Championship final to secure a win for Czechoslovakia against West Germany.
Instead, Italians call it "the spoon". In the quarter-final, Pirlo was only too happy to give England goalkeeper Joe Hart a taste of the spoon. After all, he had put out his tongue.
"Profondita"
"Depth." Or Prandelli's mantra, which he's been shouting at Mario Balotelli for the last two years.
But against Germany, "Super Mario" listened well and the lesson paid off. Launched into the "profondita" by Montolivo, he kept one step ahead of Philipp Lahm to score a magnificent second goal.
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Euro jumps after eurozone crisis summit
The euro shot up more than two cents against the dollar Friday after a summit of eurozone leaders in Brussels agreed on stronger actions to reverse the spiralling crisis. At 2100 GMT the euro traded at $1.2654, up from $1.2442 late Thursday.
The deal squeezed out of tough talks between the eurozone's biggest powers early Friday was the catalyst for the jump.
They agreed to use emergency funds to support ailing banks directly and to ease pressure on governments' debt burdens through bond purchases; and to inject 120 billion euros ($150 billion) of stimulus money into the suffering euro area economy.
"The low expectations in place the past few days surrounding the eurozone summit were tossed aside with ease on Friday, as new measures proposed prompted a massive short-covering rally in the euro," said Christopher Vecchio of Daily FX.
US bond yields jumped as investors moved into riskier currencies; Spain and Italy bond yields dropped sharply.
"The summit is a clear success. It goes very clearly in the right direction because at last it puts in place efficient tools in the long term," Natixis bank bond strategist Rene Defossez said.
The yen headed lower as the appetite for risk grew. The euro bought 101.02 yen, compared to 98.85 yen Thursday. The dollar was at 79.83 yen, up from 79.45.
The British pound rose to $1.5707 from $1.5515. The dollar fell to 0.9489 Swiss francs from 0.9650.
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The deal squeezed out of tough talks between the eurozone's biggest powers early Friday was the catalyst for the jump.
They agreed to use emergency funds to support ailing banks directly and to ease pressure on governments' debt burdens through bond purchases; and to inject 120 billion euros ($150 billion) of stimulus money into the suffering euro area economy.
"The low expectations in place the past few days surrounding the eurozone summit were tossed aside with ease on Friday, as new measures proposed prompted a massive short-covering rally in the euro," said Christopher Vecchio of Daily FX.
US bond yields jumped as investors moved into riskier currencies; Spain and Italy bond yields dropped sharply.
"The summit is a clear success. It goes very clearly in the right direction because at last it puts in place efficient tools in the long term," Natixis bank bond strategist Rene Defossez said.
The yen headed lower as the appetite for risk grew. The euro bought 101.02 yen, compared to 98.85 yen Thursday. The dollar was at 79.83 yen, up from 79.45.
The British pound rose to $1.5707 from $1.5515. The dollar fell to 0.9489 Swiss francs from 0.9650.
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Maldives can be South Asia's number one if everyone learned to work together: Indian HC
Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives D.M Mulay has stressed that despite the rather infant democracy, Maldives can become the leading nation in South Asia if the country could set aside differences of opinion and learn to work together for a common goal. Speaking during a meeting held to relay his first hand experience in the significance of democracy with police officers yesterday, Mulay noted that Maldives being blessed with the abundance of natural beauty, high literacy rate and established as one of the leading destinations for tourists could improve its economy if the country’s revenue is retained within the nation.
A Police statement issued based on Mulay’s speech detailed that after India gained independence from the British, several States was formed within the South Asian giant.
However, the Indian High Commissioner highlighted that the people in-spite of their divergences in views and beliefs had worked in harmony for the best interest of the nation.
While taking Japan as a model, Mulay stated that Japan had displayed fine examples of true democracy evident from the progress achieved in the country today. High Commissioner stressed that Japan had worked together to rise above the devastation of the Tsunami.
Police detailed that Police Commissioner Abdulla Riyaz and Deputy Commissioner Hussain Waheed had also participated in the ceremony.
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A Police statement issued based on Mulay’s speech detailed that after India gained independence from the British, several States was formed within the South Asian giant.
However, the Indian High Commissioner highlighted that the people in-spite of their divergences in views and beliefs had worked in harmony for the best interest of the nation.
While taking Japan as a model, Mulay stated that Japan had displayed fine examples of true democracy evident from the progress achieved in the country today. High Commissioner stressed that Japan had worked together to rise above the devastation of the Tsunami.
Police detailed that Police Commissioner Abdulla Riyaz and Deputy Commissioner Hussain Waheed had also participated in the ceremony.
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Kabul making progress on reforms: IMF
Afghanistan has made progress on structural reforms despite a difficult environment, the IMF said Friday as it approved the release of $18.2 million in new funds under its loan program. The International Monetary Fund said Kabul had moved ahead on targets to draft a value-added tax law, set a strategy to fight economic crimes, and strengthen the central bank's capitalization framework.
The IMF said it was releasing the second tranche of the $133.6 million loan program approved in November even though Kabul had not met a goal on fiscal revenues.
"In a very difficult environment, Afghanistan has begun a transition toward greater macroeconomic stability and economic self-reliance," IMF deputy managing director Nemat Shafik said.
"The authorities have also reported on asset recovery from Kabul Bank where cash recoveries have increased following a presidential decree," she added.
"Going forward, the program will continue to focus on safeguarding the financial sector, strengthening economic governance, and moving toward fiscal sustainability. While progress has been made on all these fronts, strong government ownership of the program remains crucial to resist opposition from vested interests."
The original IMF loan was held up for a year as foreign donors and the Fund pressed the government to deal with the massive Kabul Bank scandal, in which nearly one billion dollars were lost in a scheme involving many powerful Afghan businessmen and officials.
The bank, once Afghanistan's largest, had to be taken over by the central bank in late 2010 amid accusations that powerful former executives siphoned off more than $900 million, some of which was used to buy luxury properties in Dubai.
The approval of the loan program last November opened the door for bilateral donors to begin releasing some $100 million through the World Bank-managed Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund.
Shafik said the Afghan authorities' development strategy "rests on greater revenue mobilization and sustained strong donor support to meet large spending needs for security and development in the years ahead."
To this end, "The authorities will need to strengthen budget implementation capacity, address critical governance issues, and improve accountability within various government agencies."
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The IMF said it was releasing the second tranche of the $133.6 million loan program approved in November even though Kabul had not met a goal on fiscal revenues.
"In a very difficult environment, Afghanistan has begun a transition toward greater macroeconomic stability and economic self-reliance," IMF deputy managing director Nemat Shafik said.
"The authorities have also reported on asset recovery from Kabul Bank where cash recoveries have increased following a presidential decree," she added.
"Going forward, the program will continue to focus on safeguarding the financial sector, strengthening economic governance, and moving toward fiscal sustainability. While progress has been made on all these fronts, strong government ownership of the program remains crucial to resist opposition from vested interests."
The original IMF loan was held up for a year as foreign donors and the Fund pressed the government to deal with the massive Kabul Bank scandal, in which nearly one billion dollars were lost in a scheme involving many powerful Afghan businessmen and officials.
The bank, once Afghanistan's largest, had to be taken over by the central bank in late 2010 amid accusations that powerful former executives siphoned off more than $900 million, some of which was used to buy luxury properties in Dubai.
The approval of the loan program last November opened the door for bilateral donors to begin releasing some $100 million through the World Bank-managed Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund.
Shafik said the Afghan authorities' development strategy "rests on greater revenue mobilization and sustained strong donor support to meet large spending needs for security and development in the years ahead."
To this end, "The authorities will need to strengthen budget implementation capacity, address critical governance issues, and improve accountability within various government agencies."
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Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes split after five years
Fairytale Hollywood couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes announced they were calling it quits after five years of marriage, ending an unexpected love story dogged by tabloid rumors. "Kate has filed for divorce and Tom is deeply saddened and is concentrating on his three children," Amanda Lundberg, Cruise's representative, told AFP on Friday. "Please allow them their privacy to work this out."
"This is a personal and private matter for Katie and her family," said Jonathan Wolfe, the attorney representing Holmes. "Katie's primary concern remains, as it always has been, her daughter's best interest."
Cruise, who turns 50 on Tuesday, wed Holmes, 33, in a storybook Italian castle in November 2006 after declaring his love for the former "Dawson's Creek" star live on "Oprah" -- famously hopping on a couch in the studio.
It was Holmes's first marriage and Cruise's third. They have a six-year-old daughter, Suri.
The "TomKat" split comes just 10 days after the "amicable" parting of US actor Johnny Depp and French singer/actress Vanessa Paradis, and will doubtless lead to renewed chatter about the pressures on Hollywood couples.
Holmes has admitted to having a teenage crush on Cruise, even saying she had put up a poster of the "Top Gun" star in her bedroom.
After a whirlwind courtship that culminated in a proposal under the Eiffel Tower in June 2005, what followed resembled a fairytale -- at first.
Fireworks lit up the night sky above the 15th-century Odescalchi castle near Rome when Cruise and Holmes tied the knot on November 18, 2006.
Glitterati from the worlds of cinema, sports and music were on hand at the sprawling estate perched above the lakeside town of Bracciano as Holmes offered her hand to the "Mission Impossible" star, who has three Oscar nominations.
Italian media reported that American Scientology leader David Miscavige officiated at the event, arguably the most high-profile Scientology wedding to date, in a ceremony that lasted no more than 15 minutes.
Reports at the time said that under the prenuptial agreement, Holmes -- who converted to Scientology -- would receive $3 million for every year of the marriage plus ownership of a California mansion if they split.
But it remains to be seen how the stylish, dark-haired duo -- often snapped at glittery events alongside soccer star David Beckham and his wife Victoria -- will handle the custody of their daughter, who has been called one of Hollywood's most fashionable youngsters.
According to the website TMZ.com, Holmes wants sole custody.
Citing unnamed sources, the website claims Holmes filed for divorce mainly over Cruise's ties to Scientology, "fearing that Tom would drag Suri deep into the church."
"We're told the couple had been arguing over Suri -- that she's now of the age where Scientology becomes a significant part of her life," it said.
Tabloids, shadowing the couple since the get-go, have speculated for some time that the relationship was on the rocks after the pair was not seen together for months. Cruise has also won two lawsuits alleging he is gay.
In an interview with Playboy magazine in May, Cruise said he would be spending his birthday shooting a film in Iceland -- without his significant other.
"My family, my wife, they understand. It's who I am," he said.
Addressing rumors about his private life, he added: "You just have to keep going and remember that. The other stuff? I hear it, I read it, I get it. But life is not a matter of trying to prove anything to anybody."
Born in New York state in 1962, Cruise was raised by his mother and barely knew his father who left early on. That didn't change his feelings about family.
"I always wanted to be a father, a husband," he told Playboy.
Cruise, still one of Hollywood's most bankable stars as shown by recent box office smash "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," was married to Australian actress Nicole Kidman from 1990 to 2001. The couple had two adopted children, 19-year-old Isabella and 17-year-old Connor.
He was also married to American actress Mimi Rogers from 1987 to 1990 and had a three-year relationship with Spanish star Penelope Cruz after splitting up with Kidman.
Holmes, who was born and raised in Ohio, appeared in "Batman Begins" (2005) and starred alongside Adam Sandler in the critically panned 2011 romantic comedy "Jack and Jill."
News of the divorce set off an avalanche of messages on Twitter, many sarcastic in nature.
"Mimi Rogers 1956; Nicole Kidman 1967; Katie Holmes 1978 - my supercomputer analysis says Tom Cruise's next wife was born in 1989," said one, signed HAL_9000.
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"This is a personal and private matter for Katie and her family," said Jonathan Wolfe, the attorney representing Holmes. "Katie's primary concern remains, as it always has been, her daughter's best interest."
Cruise, who turns 50 on Tuesday, wed Holmes, 33, in a storybook Italian castle in November 2006 after declaring his love for the former "Dawson's Creek" star live on "Oprah" -- famously hopping on a couch in the studio.
It was Holmes's first marriage and Cruise's third. They have a six-year-old daughter, Suri.
The "TomKat" split comes just 10 days after the "amicable" parting of US actor Johnny Depp and French singer/actress Vanessa Paradis, and will doubtless lead to renewed chatter about the pressures on Hollywood couples.
Holmes has admitted to having a teenage crush on Cruise, even saying she had put up a poster of the "Top Gun" star in her bedroom.
After a whirlwind courtship that culminated in a proposal under the Eiffel Tower in June 2005, what followed resembled a fairytale -- at first.
Fireworks lit up the night sky above the 15th-century Odescalchi castle near Rome when Cruise and Holmes tied the knot on November 18, 2006.
Glitterati from the worlds of cinema, sports and music were on hand at the sprawling estate perched above the lakeside town of Bracciano as Holmes offered her hand to the "Mission Impossible" star, who has three Oscar nominations.
Italian media reported that American Scientology leader David Miscavige officiated at the event, arguably the most high-profile Scientology wedding to date, in a ceremony that lasted no more than 15 minutes.
Reports at the time said that under the prenuptial agreement, Holmes -- who converted to Scientology -- would receive $3 million for every year of the marriage plus ownership of a California mansion if they split.
But it remains to be seen how the stylish, dark-haired duo -- often snapped at glittery events alongside soccer star David Beckham and his wife Victoria -- will handle the custody of their daughter, who has been called one of Hollywood's most fashionable youngsters.
According to the website TMZ.com, Holmes wants sole custody.
Citing unnamed sources, the website claims Holmes filed for divorce mainly over Cruise's ties to Scientology, "fearing that Tom would drag Suri deep into the church."
"We're told the couple had been arguing over Suri -- that she's now of the age where Scientology becomes a significant part of her life," it said.
Tabloids, shadowing the couple since the get-go, have speculated for some time that the relationship was on the rocks after the pair was not seen together for months. Cruise has also won two lawsuits alleging he is gay.
In an interview with Playboy magazine in May, Cruise said he would be spending his birthday shooting a film in Iceland -- without his significant other.
"My family, my wife, they understand. It's who I am," he said.
Addressing rumors about his private life, he added: "You just have to keep going and remember that. The other stuff? I hear it, I read it, I get it. But life is not a matter of trying to prove anything to anybody."
Born in New York state in 1962, Cruise was raised by his mother and barely knew his father who left early on. That didn't change his feelings about family.
"I always wanted to be a father, a husband," he told Playboy.
Cruise, still one of Hollywood's most bankable stars as shown by recent box office smash "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," was married to Australian actress Nicole Kidman from 1990 to 2001. The couple had two adopted children, 19-year-old Isabella and 17-year-old Connor.
He was also married to American actress Mimi Rogers from 1987 to 1990 and had a three-year relationship with Spanish star Penelope Cruz after splitting up with Kidman.
Holmes, who was born and raised in Ohio, appeared in "Batman Begins" (2005) and starred alongside Adam Sandler in the critically panned 2011 romantic comedy "Jack and Jill."
News of the divorce set off an avalanche of messages on Twitter, many sarcastic in nature.
"Mimi Rogers 1956; Nicole Kidman 1967; Katie Holmes 1978 - my supercomputer analysis says Tom Cruise's next wife was born in 1989," said one, signed HAL_9000.
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Federer survives scare, Djokovic avoids Czech trap
Six-time champion Roger Federer survived a huge scare to reach the Wimbledon last 16 on Friday while defending champion Novak Djokovic avoided another Czech Republic Centre Court ambush. Federer came within two points of crashing to his worst Wimbledon defeat in 10 years before battling from two sets down to beat French 29th seed Julien Benneteau.
Federer clinched an eighth career fightback from two sets in arrears to win 4-6, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 and will face unseeded Belgian Xavier Malisse for a place in the quarter-finals.
The Swiss star, who won the last of his record 16 Grand Slam titles at the 2010 Australian Open, was staring at his earliest defeat at the All England Club since a shock first round exit to Mario Ancic in 2002.
But after being two points away from joining Rafael Nadal on the Wimbledon scrapheap in the 12th game of the fourth set, Federer raced through the decider as Benneteau wilted and twice needed treatment by the trainer.
"It was a tight match and maybe I had a bit of luck on my side," said Federer, who had also come back from two sets to love down to beat Juan Martin del Potro at the French Open quarter-finals.
"It was tough and brutal. I fought until the end to stay alive."
Friday's thrilling third round tie was played out under the Centre Court roof which had also been closed for the final set of Nadal's stunning second round exit to Czech world 100 Lukas Rosol 24 hours earlier.
"I was cramping in the final set and it was difficult to get support to hit the ball," said Benneteau.
Djokovic, meanwhile, reached the last 16 with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 win over veteran Czech Radek Stepanek.
Top seed Djokovic overcame dropping his first set of the tournament to see off the 33-year-old.
The Serb goes on to play compatriot Victor Troicki, who put out Argentine 15th seed Juan Monaco 7-5, 7-5, 6-3, for a place in the quarter-finals.
Djokovic found wily Stepanek, a quarter-finalist in 2006, hard to read in the first set as the Czech kept the champion pinned back by serving and volleying, almost an extinct technique on the slowing All England Club lawns.
But he won 18 of the next 24 games to storm to victory, taking another step closer to a sixth career Grand Slam title.
"I had break points in the first set but he came up with the big serves. It was a tough match, but I played really well in the second, third and fourth sets," said Djokovic.
The Serb insisted Nadal's fate, which was also played out under the Centre Court roof, had not entered his thoughts.
"I was focused on my own game. I knew Radek is a tricky opponent and very experienced," he said.
"He's one of the few players who comes to the net after every first serve. He has the variety of game to hurt anyone."
French 18th seed Richard Gasquet, a semi-finalist in 2007, beat 12th seed Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to claim a first win over the Spaniard in four meetings.
He will tackle German 31st seed Florian Mayer who edged Polish qualifier Jerzy Janowicz 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Xavier Malisse of Belgium, who reached the last four in 2002, defeated Spanish 17th seed Fernando Verdasco 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 to set up a date with Federer.
Denis Istomin became the first Uzbek to make the last 16 when he defeated Alejandro Falla of Colombia 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5).
He will face Russian 26th seed Mikhail Youzhny who saw off Serb eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
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Federer clinched an eighth career fightback from two sets in arrears to win 4-6, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 and will face unseeded Belgian Xavier Malisse for a place in the quarter-finals.
The Swiss star, who won the last of his record 16 Grand Slam titles at the 2010 Australian Open, was staring at his earliest defeat at the All England Club since a shock first round exit to Mario Ancic in 2002.
But after being two points away from joining Rafael Nadal on the Wimbledon scrapheap in the 12th game of the fourth set, Federer raced through the decider as Benneteau wilted and twice needed treatment by the trainer.
"It was a tight match and maybe I had a bit of luck on my side," said Federer, who had also come back from two sets to love down to beat Juan Martin del Potro at the French Open quarter-finals.
"It was tough and brutal. I fought until the end to stay alive."
Friday's thrilling third round tie was played out under the Centre Court roof which had also been closed for the final set of Nadal's stunning second round exit to Czech world 100 Lukas Rosol 24 hours earlier.
"I was cramping in the final set and it was difficult to get support to hit the ball," said Benneteau.
Djokovic, meanwhile, reached the last 16 with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 win over veteran Czech Radek Stepanek.
Top seed Djokovic overcame dropping his first set of the tournament to see off the 33-year-old.
The Serb goes on to play compatriot Victor Troicki, who put out Argentine 15th seed Juan Monaco 7-5, 7-5, 6-3, for a place in the quarter-finals.
Djokovic found wily Stepanek, a quarter-finalist in 2006, hard to read in the first set as the Czech kept the champion pinned back by serving and volleying, almost an extinct technique on the slowing All England Club lawns.
But he won 18 of the next 24 games to storm to victory, taking another step closer to a sixth career Grand Slam title.
"I had break points in the first set but he came up with the big serves. It was a tough match, but I played really well in the second, third and fourth sets," said Djokovic.
The Serb insisted Nadal's fate, which was also played out under the Centre Court roof, had not entered his thoughts.
"I was focused on my own game. I knew Radek is a tricky opponent and very experienced," he said.
"He's one of the few players who comes to the net after every first serve. He has the variety of game to hurt anyone."
French 18th seed Richard Gasquet, a semi-finalist in 2007, beat 12th seed Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to claim a first win over the Spaniard in four meetings.
He will tackle German 31st seed Florian Mayer who edged Polish qualifier Jerzy Janowicz 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Xavier Malisse of Belgium, who reached the last four in 2002, defeated Spanish 17th seed Fernando Verdasco 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 to set up a date with Federer.
Denis Istomin became the first Uzbek to make the last 16 when he defeated Alejandro Falla of Colombia 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5).
He will face Russian 26th seed Mikhail Youzhny who saw off Serb eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
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