Afghanistan's defence ministry has expressed concern over the slow pace of developing its airforce ahead of a scheduled withdrawal of NATO troops and equipment, the government said Sunday. More than a dozen transport aircraft provided to the Afghan airforce by the United States have been grounded because of age, a lack of spares and safety problems, President Hamid Karzai's office said in a statement.
The issue was raised at a security meeting which was told that the defence ministry was "concerned over the slow pace of reviving the country's air force" and wanted the US to "intensify its efforts for that end".
As part of its exit strategy from the Afghan war, the US is helping Kabul build its airforce before most air support from NATO forces is withdrawn along with 130,000 troops by the end of 2014.
Fifteen C-27 transport aircraft supposed to provide support to the Afghan army and deliver humanitarian aid had been grounded for two years, defence ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi told AFP.
"The planes were made in Italy, they are old and were out of the Italian fleet before they were given to Afghanistan," Azimi said.
Air transport is critical in Afghanistan, where the road network is underdeveloped and targeted by insurgent bombings, while strike aircraft are a vital part of the war against Taliban insurgents.
The US Air Force announced last month that it was reopening a contest for a contract to build 20 light attack aircraft for Afghanistan after the cancellation of an award to Brazil's Embraer two months earlier.
But a final decision for the contract will not be made before early 2013, the Air Force said in a statement, with the first planes due to be delivered in the second half of 2014.
The new schedule will mean "a delay of about 15 months" from original plans, before the Air Force called off the award, the statement said.
Last year, an Afghan air force officer shot dead nine US service members at a training centre at Kabul International Airport, one of the deadliest attacks on coalition troops in recent years.
It was one of an increasing number of attacks in which Afghans being trained by NATO troops have turned their weapons on their mentors.
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Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Spain's Del Bosque opts for Negredo ahead of Soldado
Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo edged Roberto Soldado for the final striker's spot in defending champions Spain's squad for Euro 2012 announced by coach Vicent del Bosque here on Sunday. Negredo effectively fills the void of Spain's record goalscorer David Villa -- who failed to recover from a broken tibia in time -- after scoring 14 goals in La Liga in the season just finished.
Soldado misses out despite scoring 17 league goals as his form dipped dramatically in the latter stages of the season.
Barcelona's Pedro was rewarded for doing exactly the opposite as his rich vein of form in the latter part of the season -- including a double in Barca's Spanish Cup final win over Athletic Bilbao on Friday -- saw him make the squad.
"Pedro had an inconsistent season like others did," said Del Bosque.
"But we took into account certain aspects of his season. We looked at his season in its entirety.
"And also we need players out wide, wingers who are effective," added del Bosque of the 20102 World Cup winner.
Negredo will compete for places up front with Fernando Torres, who showed glimpses of a return to form for Champions League winners Chelsea at the end of the season, and Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente.
There are just four members of the 2008 squad missing, with Carlos Marchena and Joan Capdevila no longer in favour and talismanic defender Carles Puyol and Villa out because of injuries.
The midfield is dominated by Barcelona with Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta definite starters while Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets are also included.
However, Barcelona informed del Bosque that former Arsenal captain Fabregas will need up to 10 days to recuperate from the pulled right thigh muscle he suffered in the Spanish Cup final.
"The doctors are optimistic in his case," said Del Bosque.
"It is an injury from which he should recover pretty quickly, although it did give me pause for thought when I came to select the definitive squad."
In defence Del Bosque named Atletico Madrid right-back Juanfran in place of the injured Andoni Iraola, who had an outstanding season for Athletic Bilbao.
"Juanfran had a good season for Atletico and for that reason gets to replace the injured Iraola," said Del Bosque.
Spain will remain at their training camp here and have two more warm-up matches - they beat Serbia 2-0 on Saturday - against South Korea and China before moving to their base for the championship in Gniewino on June 5.
They begin their title defence on June 10 against Italy, before other group games against the Republic of Ireland and Croatia.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool/ENG), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).
Defenders: Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa, Raul Albiol, Sergio Ramos (all Real Madrid), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao).
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets (all Barcelona).
Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo (both Sevilla), Fernando Torres, Juan Mata (both Chelsea/ENG), Pedro (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao).
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Soldado misses out despite scoring 17 league goals as his form dipped dramatically in the latter stages of the season.
Barcelona's Pedro was rewarded for doing exactly the opposite as his rich vein of form in the latter part of the season -- including a double in Barca's Spanish Cup final win over Athletic Bilbao on Friday -- saw him make the squad.
"Pedro had an inconsistent season like others did," said Del Bosque.
"But we took into account certain aspects of his season. We looked at his season in its entirety.
"And also we need players out wide, wingers who are effective," added del Bosque of the 20102 World Cup winner.
Negredo will compete for places up front with Fernando Torres, who showed glimpses of a return to form for Champions League winners Chelsea at the end of the season, and Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente.
There are just four members of the 2008 squad missing, with Carlos Marchena and Joan Capdevila no longer in favour and talismanic defender Carles Puyol and Villa out because of injuries.
The midfield is dominated by Barcelona with Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta definite starters while Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets are also included.
However, Barcelona informed del Bosque that former Arsenal captain Fabregas will need up to 10 days to recuperate from the pulled right thigh muscle he suffered in the Spanish Cup final.
"The doctors are optimistic in his case," said Del Bosque.
"It is an injury from which he should recover pretty quickly, although it did give me pause for thought when I came to select the definitive squad."
In defence Del Bosque named Atletico Madrid right-back Juanfran in place of the injured Andoni Iraola, who had an outstanding season for Athletic Bilbao.
"Juanfran had a good season for Atletico and for that reason gets to replace the injured Iraola," said Del Bosque.
Spain will remain at their training camp here and have two more warm-up matches - they beat Serbia 2-0 on Saturday - against South Korea and China before moving to their base for the championship in Gniewino on June 5.
They begin their title defence on June 10 against Italy, before other group games against the Republic of Ireland and Croatia.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool/ENG), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).
Defenders: Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa, Raul Albiol, Sergio Ramos (all Real Madrid), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao).
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets (all Barcelona).
Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo (both Sevilla), Fernando Torres, Juan Mata (both Chelsea/ENG), Pedro (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao).
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Deportivo return to La Liga
Deportivo La Coruna returned to the Spanish top flight on Sunday after their 2-1 success at Huesca assured them the Second Division title with one game to play. The side from Galicia in the north-western corner of Spain were relegated last season but are top of the Second Division with 88 points and cannot be caught by Celta and Valladolid with just one game to go.
Deportivo won their only La Liga title in 2000, and two year's later won both the King's Cup and Spanish SuperCup titles.
They were relegated after finishing 18th in 2011.
Celta, won 2-1 at Gimnastic on Sunday, and are second on 84 points with Valladolid two points further behind after drawing 2-2 with Alcorcón.
Celta and Valladolid will fight for the second automatic promotion spot to avoid the play-off.
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Deportivo won their only La Liga title in 2000, and two year's later won both the King's Cup and Spanish SuperCup titles.
They were relegated after finishing 18th in 2011.
Celta, won 2-1 at Gimnastic on Sunday, and are second on 84 points with Valladolid two points further behind after drawing 2-2 with Alcorcón.
Celta and Valladolid will fight for the second automatic promotion spot to avoid the play-off.
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Indian PM meets Myanmar president in historic visit
India's prime minister held talks with Myanmar's president Monday in a historic visit aimed at boosting trade and energy links and contesting the influence of regional rival China. Manmohan Singh, the first Indian premier to visit Myanmar in a quarter of a century, was greeted with a guard of honour as he met President Thein Sein in the capital Naypyidaw.
Energy-hungry India is eyeing a raft of agreements with its neighbour after dramatic reforms in Myanmar ended its international isolation.
Singh will travel to the main city of Yangon for talks with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday, in a move seen as a sign that India also wants to repair links with the veteran activist.
New Delhi was once a staunch supporter of the democracy icon, but changed tack in the mid-1990s as it sought closer ties with Myanmar, and drew international criticism for its engagement with the former junta.
India has since pointed to recent dramatic reforms under a new quasi-civilian regime, including Suu Kyi's election to parliament in April by-elections, as a validation of its stance.
Singh is the latest in a series of top-level visitors to Myanmar as the international community begins easing sanctions, raising hopes that the impoverished nation could be the next big frontier market.
An Indian diplomat who declined to be named told AFP that about 12 agreements were set to be inked during the talks on Monday.
Singh is seen as looking to expand India's influence after half a century of military rule left Myanmar heavily reliant on Chinese investment and political support.
Indian-backed infrastructure projects in the country include a port at Sittwe on the Bay of Bengal but New Delhi's presence lags well behind that of Beijing, which is behind a host of major energy developments.
"India does seem to have been rather slothful in its response to Myanmar's reforms compared to the enthusiasm shown by many other world leaders," said Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific Chief Economist at IHS Global Insight.
He said Myanmar was in the grips of a "gold rush", and that oil and gas are an area of "considerable opportunity" for investors.
According to data from IHS, China led the ranking in investments in Myanmar last year, pledging $8.3 billion, with India trailing in 13th place, with $189 million pledged.
Indian trade with Myanmar stood at $1.2 billion in 2010, far short of the $4.4 billion between China and Myanmar.
Singh, who is travelling with a top-level business delegation, stressed the countries' "shared history and culture" in a statement ahead of the visit.
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, was administered as a province of India during British colonial rule and the two countries have religious links dating back to the early spread of Buddhism more than 2,000 years ago.
India sees Myanmar as the springboard to a closer connection with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as a key partner in counter-insurgency and economic development drives in its northeast border areas.
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Energy-hungry India is eyeing a raft of agreements with its neighbour after dramatic reforms in Myanmar ended its international isolation.
Singh will travel to the main city of Yangon for talks with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday, in a move seen as a sign that India also wants to repair links with the veteran activist.
New Delhi was once a staunch supporter of the democracy icon, but changed tack in the mid-1990s as it sought closer ties with Myanmar, and drew international criticism for its engagement with the former junta.
India has since pointed to recent dramatic reforms under a new quasi-civilian regime, including Suu Kyi's election to parliament in April by-elections, as a validation of its stance.
Singh is the latest in a series of top-level visitors to Myanmar as the international community begins easing sanctions, raising hopes that the impoverished nation could be the next big frontier market.
An Indian diplomat who declined to be named told AFP that about 12 agreements were set to be inked during the talks on Monday.
Singh is seen as looking to expand India's influence after half a century of military rule left Myanmar heavily reliant on Chinese investment and political support.
Indian-backed infrastructure projects in the country include a port at Sittwe on the Bay of Bengal but New Delhi's presence lags well behind that of Beijing, which is behind a host of major energy developments.
"India does seem to have been rather slothful in its response to Myanmar's reforms compared to the enthusiasm shown by many other world leaders," said Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific Chief Economist at IHS Global Insight.
He said Myanmar was in the grips of a "gold rush", and that oil and gas are an area of "considerable opportunity" for investors.
According to data from IHS, China led the ranking in investments in Myanmar last year, pledging $8.3 billion, with India trailing in 13th place, with $189 million pledged.
Indian trade with Myanmar stood at $1.2 billion in 2010, far short of the $4.4 billion between China and Myanmar.
Singh, who is travelling with a top-level business delegation, stressed the countries' "shared history and culture" in a statement ahead of the visit.
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, was administered as a province of India during British colonial rule and the two countries have religious links dating back to the early spread of Buddhism more than 2,000 years ago.
India sees Myanmar as the springboard to a closer connection with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as a key partner in counter-insurgency and economic development drives in its northeast border areas.
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India rupee woes highlight economic drift
India's rupee, which hit an unprecedented string of all-time lows last week, is set for more falls unless policymakers move quickly to put Asia's third-largest economy back on track, analysts say. The rupee, which slumped to as low as 56.38 to the dollar last week, has lost around a quarter of its value in the past 12 months and is currently Asia's worst-performing currency.
"The Indian rupee's weakness is a symptom and not the underlying problem", which is "policy incoherence, shifting global risk appetite and a comatose government", said Rajeev Malik, senior economist at independent brokerage CLSA.
Ratings agency Standard and Poor's has cut India's credit outlook to negative, growth is slowing and the current account deficit -- the widest measure of a country's trade with the rest of the world -- is at a three-decade high.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has admitted his squabbling Congress-led coalition must do more to get the once red-hot economy moving again.
"I will be the first to say we need to do better," the 79-year-old said as he presented his coalition's annual report card at a function last week.
Singh is credited with opening India's economy when he was the finance minister in 1991 but his premiership has been tainted by a series of policy U-turns and corruption scandals.
His once ambitious reform agenda has stalled amid coalition infighting, and the economic climate has been further strained by the announcement of new tax policies seen as hostile to foreign investment.
"India's weak national government remains the single biggest drag on activity," said Glenn Levine, senior economist at Moody's Analytics.
Now the rupee's free-fall appears to be bringing economic worries to a head.
Out of 58 economists and corporate chief executives polled, 53 said the economic situation had suddenly worsened, according to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).
"The worst disaster is coming from a huge uncertainty on the rupee value and its freefall. Everybody out there in the business world is feeling shaky," said Assocham when it announced the survey at the weekend.
Many analysts are eyeing 60 rupees to the dollar as the next big mark for the currency as lacklustre US data and a worsening European debt crisis prompt risk-averse investors to dump emerging-market assets.
A falling rupee stokes India's inflation -- already running at over seven percent -- by making imports costlier and makes it harder for firms to service dollar-denominated debt.
It also deters capital inflows, making it much tougher to close the gaping current account deficit, which is already running at 4.3 percent of gross domestic product.
Analysts say India could take steps to temper dollar demand and support the rupee -- such as having the central bank sell dollars directly to Indian oil firms, which would lower demand for greenbacks in the foreign exchange market.
Fuel-scarce India purchases 80 percent of its crude from abroad, using dollars.
India could also issue bonds to non-resident Indians at attractive rates.
But the central bank "at best, can only contain the pace of depreciation somewhat, while not being able to reverse it", said Deepali Bhargava, chief India economist at Espirito Santo Securities.
Analysts said the rest was up to the government -- which needs to press ahead with long-delayed economic reforms such as further opening up the retail and aviation sectors to foreign investment.
"The government will have to restore confidence in governance... and address investor nervousness on tax issues," said private bank IndusInd's head of trading Rajeev Mahrotri.
In the meantime, global banks have been taking a knife to their growth estimates following a string of weak economic indicators.
The government has forecast growth of 7.6 percent for this fiscal year to March 2013. But private forecasters are pencilling in numbers from six to seven percent -- enviable by Western standards but not enough to reduce India's crushing poverty, experts say.
Investment house Morgan Stanley said it expects growth for the fiscal year just ended to be 6.5 percent --- lower than the government's estimate of 6.9 percent, and below even the 6.7 percent achieved in 2008-09, the year of the global economic meltdown.
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"The Indian rupee's weakness is a symptom and not the underlying problem", which is "policy incoherence, shifting global risk appetite and a comatose government", said Rajeev Malik, senior economist at independent brokerage CLSA.
Ratings agency Standard and Poor's has cut India's credit outlook to negative, growth is slowing and the current account deficit -- the widest measure of a country's trade with the rest of the world -- is at a three-decade high.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has admitted his squabbling Congress-led coalition must do more to get the once red-hot economy moving again.
"I will be the first to say we need to do better," the 79-year-old said as he presented his coalition's annual report card at a function last week.
Singh is credited with opening India's economy when he was the finance minister in 1991 but his premiership has been tainted by a series of policy U-turns and corruption scandals.
His once ambitious reform agenda has stalled amid coalition infighting, and the economic climate has been further strained by the announcement of new tax policies seen as hostile to foreign investment.
"India's weak national government remains the single biggest drag on activity," said Glenn Levine, senior economist at Moody's Analytics.
Now the rupee's free-fall appears to be bringing economic worries to a head.
Out of 58 economists and corporate chief executives polled, 53 said the economic situation had suddenly worsened, according to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).
"The worst disaster is coming from a huge uncertainty on the rupee value and its freefall. Everybody out there in the business world is feeling shaky," said Assocham when it announced the survey at the weekend.
Many analysts are eyeing 60 rupees to the dollar as the next big mark for the currency as lacklustre US data and a worsening European debt crisis prompt risk-averse investors to dump emerging-market assets.
A falling rupee stokes India's inflation -- already running at over seven percent -- by making imports costlier and makes it harder for firms to service dollar-denominated debt.
It also deters capital inflows, making it much tougher to close the gaping current account deficit, which is already running at 4.3 percent of gross domestic product.
Analysts say India could take steps to temper dollar demand and support the rupee -- such as having the central bank sell dollars directly to Indian oil firms, which would lower demand for greenbacks in the foreign exchange market.
Fuel-scarce India purchases 80 percent of its crude from abroad, using dollars.
India could also issue bonds to non-resident Indians at attractive rates.
But the central bank "at best, can only contain the pace of depreciation somewhat, while not being able to reverse it", said Deepali Bhargava, chief India economist at Espirito Santo Securities.
Analysts said the rest was up to the government -- which needs to press ahead with long-delayed economic reforms such as further opening up the retail and aviation sectors to foreign investment.
"The government will have to restore confidence in governance... and address investor nervousness on tax issues," said private bank IndusInd's head of trading Rajeev Mahrotri.
In the meantime, global banks have been taking a knife to their growth estimates following a string of weak economic indicators.
The government has forecast growth of 7.6 percent for this fiscal year to March 2013. But private forecasters are pencilling in numbers from six to seven percent -- enviable by Western standards but not enough to reduce India's crushing poverty, experts say.
Investment house Morgan Stanley said it expects growth for the fiscal year just ended to be 6.5 percent --- lower than the government's estimate of 6.9 percent, and below even the 6.7 percent achieved in 2008-09, the year of the global economic meltdown.
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Complaints of criminal activities in Usfasgandu have been received: Home Minister
Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed claimed yesterday that many complaints of criminal offences being carried out in the Usfasgandu area currently being used by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) for its political activities had been received. In response to a question from a journalist during a press conference held at the Home Ministry yesterday, Jameel said that such complaints of criminal offences had not been received when the Housing Ministry had put forth a request to enforce the order of the handing over of the Usfasgandu area by the Male City Council after the Council had failed to comply with the order by the Housing Ministry.
Minister further added that the issue raised at the time had been the lease of a State land plot in violation of the normal regulations and complaints of criminal activities had been received afterwards.
However, Jameel failed to disclose the type of criminal offences allegedly taking place at the Usfasgandu area.
“No complaints of any criminal activities had been raised with us at the time. But now many complaints have been received including criminal offences,†Minister detailed.
He revealed that as the Home Ministry had been requested to intervene in the Usfasgandu issue with the advice of the Attorney General, Police upon orders would take necessary action within the contours of the law.
Minister stressed that the present government would take every action in accordance with the law, and hence everyone must accept any delays that may arise from following a course of action within the legal boundaries.
Jameel further assured that neither him nor the Police would hesitate in enforcing the law, but noted that the legal contour must not be clouded.
He further alleged that the former administration had rushed to take action even when there had been legal grey areas and assured that the present government would not enforce its authority hastily.
The City Council has refused to relinquish the administration of the Usfasgandu area, even after the cabinet had decided that the area had been leased in violation of the regulations and had ordered the Council to handover Usfasgandu to the Housing Ministry.
Following the failure of the City Council to comply with the order, Police had filed to obtain a court order from the Criminal Court to dismantle the Usfasgandu area when Police intervention in the issue had been requested.
However, Criminal Court had denied the Police request for the court order citing that the court had no jurisdiction to do so.
Police had stated that they were currently assessing the case and would take action in accordance with the law.
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Minister further added that the issue raised at the time had been the lease of a State land plot in violation of the normal regulations and complaints of criminal activities had been received afterwards.
However, Jameel failed to disclose the type of criminal offences allegedly taking place at the Usfasgandu area.
“No complaints of any criminal activities had been raised with us at the time. But now many complaints have been received including criminal offences,†Minister detailed.
He revealed that as the Home Ministry had been requested to intervene in the Usfasgandu issue with the advice of the Attorney General, Police upon orders would take necessary action within the contours of the law.
Minister stressed that the present government would take every action in accordance with the law, and hence everyone must accept any delays that may arise from following a course of action within the legal boundaries.
Jameel further assured that neither him nor the Police would hesitate in enforcing the law, but noted that the legal contour must not be clouded.
He further alleged that the former administration had rushed to take action even when there had been legal grey areas and assured that the present government would not enforce its authority hastily.
The City Council has refused to relinquish the administration of the Usfasgandu area, even after the cabinet had decided that the area had been leased in violation of the regulations and had ordered the Council to handover Usfasgandu to the Housing Ministry.
Following the failure of the City Council to comply with the order, Police had filed to obtain a court order from the Criminal Court to dismantle the Usfasgandu area when Police intervention in the issue had been requested.
However, Criminal Court had denied the Police request for the court order citing that the court had no jurisdiction to do so.
Police had stated that they were currently assessing the case and would take action in accordance with the law.
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Bisla powers Kolkata to maiden IPL title
Kolkata Knight Riders found a surprise hero in Manvinder Bisla to bag their maiden Indian Premier League title with a five-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings in a thrilling Twenty20 final on Sunday. The little-known opener smashed five sixes and eight fours in his quickfire 48-ball 89 as Kolkata surpassed Chennai's total of 190-3 with two balls to spare at the Chidambaram stadium in Chennai.
Kolkata needed nine runs to win off the last over bowled by West Indies seamer Dwayne Bravo, but Manoj Tiwary (nine not out) smashed the third and fourth deliveries for fours to spark celebrations in his team's camp.
Kolkata's other batting star was South African Jacques Kallis, who made a crucial 49-ball 69 with the help of one six and seven fours despite suffering a hamstring injury in the later part of his knock.
"Mission accomplished," said Kolkata skipper Gautam Gambhir.
"Chasing 191 against the defending champions in their backyard shows the character of Bisla. It proves a captain is only as good as his team."
Man-of-the-match Bisla and Kallis put on 136 runs for the second wicket in 13.4 overs before Tiwary and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (11 not out) completed the win to deny two-time champions Chennai a hat-trick.
"Bisla and Kallis got the partnership Kolkata needed," said Chennai captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"I think the ball started coming on slightly better in the second half but under the conditions, we batted well. Our bowlers were not getting the reverse swing."
Australian paceman Ben Hilfenhaus bagged two wickets for Chennai, who were facing elimination at one stage of the tournament.
Chennai were lucky to figure in the play-offs, having qualified on better net run-rate than that of Royal Challengers Bangalore after both the teams finished their league engagements with 17 points.
The final was also watched by Pakistan's cricket chief Zaka Ashraf. Pakistani players, who are usually a major draw in India, have been kept out of the tournament after the first edition, reportedly due to security fears.
Suresh Raina earlier cracked a 38-ball 73 with five sixes to help Chennai set a stiff target. Australian Michael Hussey (54), who turned 37 on Sunday, and Murali Vijay (42) were the other main scorers.
Chennai made a brisk start after electing to bat as Hussey put on 87 for the opening wicket with Vijay and then 73 for the second wicket with Raina.
Raina raced to his half-century off just 27 balls before falling off the last ball of the innings, caught by Australian Brett Lee in the deep off Shakib.
Kolkata got $2 million for the win while runners-up Chennai bagged $1.5 million.
Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi Daredevils qualified for the Champions League to be held in India in October between the top domestic Twenty20 clubs from around the world.
Brief scores:
Chennai Super Kings 190-3 in 20 overs (S. Raina 73, M. Hussey 54, M. Vijay 42) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders 192-5 in 19.4 overs (M. Bisla 89, J. Kallis 69; B. Hilfenhaus 2-25) by five wickets. Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 0 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment Loading comments... Please wait
Kolkata needed nine runs to win off the last over bowled by West Indies seamer Dwayne Bravo, but Manoj Tiwary (nine not out) smashed the third and fourth deliveries for fours to spark celebrations in his team's camp.
Kolkata's other batting star was South African Jacques Kallis, who made a crucial 49-ball 69 with the help of one six and seven fours despite suffering a hamstring injury in the later part of his knock.
"Mission accomplished," said Kolkata skipper Gautam Gambhir.
"Chasing 191 against the defending champions in their backyard shows the character of Bisla. It proves a captain is only as good as his team."
Man-of-the-match Bisla and Kallis put on 136 runs for the second wicket in 13.4 overs before Tiwary and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (11 not out) completed the win to deny two-time champions Chennai a hat-trick.
"Bisla and Kallis got the partnership Kolkata needed," said Chennai captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"I think the ball started coming on slightly better in the second half but under the conditions, we batted well. Our bowlers were not getting the reverse swing."
Australian paceman Ben Hilfenhaus bagged two wickets for Chennai, who were facing elimination at one stage of the tournament.
Chennai were lucky to figure in the play-offs, having qualified on better net run-rate than that of Royal Challengers Bangalore after both the teams finished their league engagements with 17 points.
The final was also watched by Pakistan's cricket chief Zaka Ashraf. Pakistani players, who are usually a major draw in India, have been kept out of the tournament after the first edition, reportedly due to security fears.
Suresh Raina earlier cracked a 38-ball 73 with five sixes to help Chennai set a stiff target. Australian Michael Hussey (54), who turned 37 on Sunday, and Murali Vijay (42) were the other main scorers.
Chennai made a brisk start after electing to bat as Hussey put on 87 for the opening wicket with Vijay and then 73 for the second wicket with Raina.
Raina raced to his half-century off just 27 balls before falling off the last ball of the innings, caught by Australian Brett Lee in the deep off Shakib.
Kolkata got $2 million for the win while runners-up Chennai bagged $1.5 million.
Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi Daredevils qualified for the Champions League to be held in India in October between the top domestic Twenty20 clubs from around the world.
Brief scores:
Chennai Super Kings 190-3 in 20 overs (S. Raina 73, M. Hussey 54, M. Vijay 42) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders 192-5 in 19.4 overs (M. Bisla 89, J. Kallis 69; B. Hilfenhaus 2-25) by five wickets. Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 0 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment Loading comments... Please wait
Federer writes off Djokovic's historic Slam bid
Roger Federer on Friday backed six-time champion Rafael Nadal to shatter Novak Djokovic's historic bid to become the first man in 43 years to hold all four Grand Slam titles. World number one Djokovic already has the Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open crowns in his possession and a first French Open triumph in two weeks' time would make him the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the sweep.
But Federer believes that it is Nadal, chasing an unprecedented seventh Roland Garros title, who will be making history here, and not the Serb.
"Rafa is the favourite for me," said Federer, the 2009 champion in Paris.
"I think he lost only two sets between Rome, Monte Carlo, and Barcelona, so that's a pretty good start.
"Then he's playing for his seventh title, so no discussion. We're crazy to even talk about this. Some people might say he's not the favourite, but to me he's the favourite.
"I played him so many times here. I know how incredible he can be here in Roland Garros.
"As for Novak, with all his results lately, he's one of the big favourites. Likewise for me with everything I accomplished. But for me it would be Rafa, Novak, and me in third position."
Of the seven men to win all the four majors in their careers, only Don Budge and Laver (twice) have held all four at the same time.
Since Laver's 1969 achievement, only Pete Sampras, Federer and Nadal have had opportunities to complete a non-calendar year Grand Slam.
Sampras lost to Jim Courier in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros in 1994; Federer lost to Nadal in the final at the 2006 and 2007 French Open while Nadal lost to David Ferrer in the quarter-finals at the 2011 Australian Open.
"To win three in a row is amazing and a fourth would be an amazing step," added Federer.
"The toughest part is the back end of it. Twice I was close, just a couple of sets away playing Rafa here which didn't make it any easier. But it's amazing for tennis to have Novak in this situation."
Djokovic has yet to make the final in Paris, having fallen three times at the semi-final stage and on Friday, he was keen to shrug off the expectations.
"It would definitely mean the world to me, but I haven't thought about that too much because I do not want to have too much unnecessary pressure. I don't need that at this moment because I already have enough," said the top seed.
"It's a unique opportunity. But the best tennis players in the world are playing here and you have to always put in an extra effort whoever you play against." Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 0 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment Loading comments... Please wait
But Federer believes that it is Nadal, chasing an unprecedented seventh Roland Garros title, who will be making history here, and not the Serb.
"Rafa is the favourite for me," said Federer, the 2009 champion in Paris.
"I think he lost only two sets between Rome, Monte Carlo, and Barcelona, so that's a pretty good start.
"Then he's playing for his seventh title, so no discussion. We're crazy to even talk about this. Some people might say he's not the favourite, but to me he's the favourite.
"I played him so many times here. I know how incredible he can be here in Roland Garros.
"As for Novak, with all his results lately, he's one of the big favourites. Likewise for me with everything I accomplished. But for me it would be Rafa, Novak, and me in third position."
Of the seven men to win all the four majors in their careers, only Don Budge and Laver (twice) have held all four at the same time.
Since Laver's 1969 achievement, only Pete Sampras, Federer and Nadal have had opportunities to complete a non-calendar year Grand Slam.
Sampras lost to Jim Courier in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros in 1994; Federer lost to Nadal in the final at the 2006 and 2007 French Open while Nadal lost to David Ferrer in the quarter-finals at the 2011 Australian Open.
"To win three in a row is amazing and a fourth would be an amazing step," added Federer.
"The toughest part is the back end of it. Twice I was close, just a couple of sets away playing Rafa here which didn't make it any easier. But it's amazing for tennis to have Novak in this situation."
Djokovic has yet to make the final in Paris, having fallen three times at the semi-final stage and on Friday, he was keen to shrug off the expectations.
"It would definitely mean the world to me, but I haven't thought about that too much because I do not want to have too much unnecessary pressure. I don't need that at this moment because I already have enough," said the top seed.
"It's a unique opportunity. But the best tennis players in the world are playing here and you have to always put in an extra effort whoever you play against." Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 0 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment Loading comments... Please wait
IMF chief riles Greeks as crisis election looms
Political leaders in Athens and thousands of internet users have rounded on IMF chief Christine Lagarde for branding Greeks tax-dodgers, as parties went on the campaign trail for next month's elections. Socialist leader Evangelos Venizelos accused Lagarde on Sunday of trying to "humiliate" the debt-stricken country, which is facing its second election in six weeks, a vote seen as crucial to the future of the eurozone.
Radical left-wing leader Alexis Tsipras, whose Syriza party is one of the two top contenders for the June 17 vote, insisted "Greek workers pay their taxes, which are unbearable".
Greek web users waged Facebook war against Lagarde, with the French managing director of the International Monetary Fund receiving more than 10,000 messages, many of them obscene, on her page on the online social network.
By late Sunday afternoon a separate Facebook page had sprung up titled "Greeks are against Lagarde".
Their anger was sparked by comments Lagarde made in Britain's Guardian newspaper on Friday that Greeks must "help themselves collectively" by all paying taxes, saying she was more concerned about Africans in poverty than Greeks in the economic crisis.
Among the online messages posted by angry Greeks, Iakovos Magdakis wrote: "Who are you to tell me to pay? My wife has been unemployed for four years, I have been unemployed for five months and we have a four-month-old baby."
Lagarde responded to the flood of angry online messages by responding on Facebook that she was "very sympathetic to the Greek people and the challenges they are facing."
"That's why the IMF is supporting Greece in its endeavour to overcome the current crisis," she added on the social networking site.
The comments by the French IMF head came as parties squared off for the election that could determine whether Greece continues to receive EU-IMF funds as part of a multi-billion euro bailout package and stays in the eurozone.
Tsipras seized on her comments to assert his stance as a defender against economic cuts, which drove many Greeks to vote for him in an inconclusive election on May 6, putting him second ahead of Venizelos's Pasok party.
"The last thing we seek in Greece is her sympathy. Greek workers pay their taxes, which are unbearable," Tsipras said in a statement, taking a swipe at Pasok and the conservative New Democracy party which came first in May.
"For tax-evaders, she should turn to Pasok and New Democracy to explain to her why they haven't touched the big money and have been chasing the simple worker for two years."
In France, whose Socialist President Francois Hollande has defended Greece's place in the eurozone and pushed for a more growth-oriented strategy in the crisis, government spokeswoman Najat Vallaud-Belkacem described Lagarde's comments as "rather simplistic and stereotypical".
Venizelos welcomed Lagarde's Facebook message, after telling an election rally: "Nobody can humiliate the Greek people during the crisis."
Greece made a deal in 2010 to receive hundreds of billions of euros (dollars) from the IMF and the EFSF, a European Union bailout fund, to rescue it from financial collapse. Lagarde took the reins of the global lender in May 2011.
The country will head to the polls for a second time in six weeks on June 17 since political parties failed to form a coalition after the May 6 election.
Syriza, which has threatened to renege on the bailout accords, has led at times in the opinion polls, but a series of polls published Sunday indicated New Democracy had taken the lead.
New Democracy and Pasok each defend the bailout agreement they signed as partners in a coalition government, but have proposed to amend it.
Venizelos said he wants to extend the loan repayments.
"The country needs a government that will unite the people and revise the loan agreement, but assure we stay in the euro," he said Sunday.
Former prime minister Lucas Papademos has warned that Greece may run out of money by the end of June if international bailout funds are cut off following the election, To Vima newspaper reported Sunday.
Campaigning on Saturday, New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras said a victory for Syriza would cause "catastrophe" and send Greece out of the euro.
Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 1 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment More Loading comments... Please wait
Radical left-wing leader Alexis Tsipras, whose Syriza party is one of the two top contenders for the June 17 vote, insisted "Greek workers pay their taxes, which are unbearable".
Greek web users waged Facebook war against Lagarde, with the French managing director of the International Monetary Fund receiving more than 10,000 messages, many of them obscene, on her page on the online social network.
By late Sunday afternoon a separate Facebook page had sprung up titled "Greeks are against Lagarde".
Their anger was sparked by comments Lagarde made in Britain's Guardian newspaper on Friday that Greeks must "help themselves collectively" by all paying taxes, saying she was more concerned about Africans in poverty than Greeks in the economic crisis.
Among the online messages posted by angry Greeks, Iakovos Magdakis wrote: "Who are you to tell me to pay? My wife has been unemployed for four years, I have been unemployed for five months and we have a four-month-old baby."
Lagarde responded to the flood of angry online messages by responding on Facebook that she was "very sympathetic to the Greek people and the challenges they are facing."
"That's why the IMF is supporting Greece in its endeavour to overcome the current crisis," she added on the social networking site.
The comments by the French IMF head came as parties squared off for the election that could determine whether Greece continues to receive EU-IMF funds as part of a multi-billion euro bailout package and stays in the eurozone.
Tsipras seized on her comments to assert his stance as a defender against economic cuts, which drove many Greeks to vote for him in an inconclusive election on May 6, putting him second ahead of Venizelos's Pasok party.
"The last thing we seek in Greece is her sympathy. Greek workers pay their taxes, which are unbearable," Tsipras said in a statement, taking a swipe at Pasok and the conservative New Democracy party which came first in May.
"For tax-evaders, she should turn to Pasok and New Democracy to explain to her why they haven't touched the big money and have been chasing the simple worker for two years."
In France, whose Socialist President Francois Hollande has defended Greece's place in the eurozone and pushed for a more growth-oriented strategy in the crisis, government spokeswoman Najat Vallaud-Belkacem described Lagarde's comments as "rather simplistic and stereotypical".
Venizelos welcomed Lagarde's Facebook message, after telling an election rally: "Nobody can humiliate the Greek people during the crisis."
Greece made a deal in 2010 to receive hundreds of billions of euros (dollars) from the IMF and the EFSF, a European Union bailout fund, to rescue it from financial collapse. Lagarde took the reins of the global lender in May 2011.
The country will head to the polls for a second time in six weeks on June 17 since political parties failed to form a coalition after the May 6 election.
Syriza, which has threatened to renege on the bailout accords, has led at times in the opinion polls, but a series of polls published Sunday indicated New Democracy had taken the lead.
New Democracy and Pasok each defend the bailout agreement they signed as partners in a coalition government, but have proposed to amend it.
Venizelos said he wants to extend the loan repayments.
"The country needs a government that will unite the people and revise the loan agreement, but assure we stay in the euro," he said Sunday.
Former prime minister Lucas Papademos has warned that Greece may run out of money by the end of June if international bailout funds are cut off following the election, To Vima newspaper reported Sunday.
Campaigning on Saturday, New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras said a victory for Syriza would cause "catastrophe" and send Greece out of the euro.
Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 1 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment More Loading comments... Please wait
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