Bermuda Win 5 More Carifta Medals, 12 Total
The Bermuda National Swimming team saved the best for last, picking up five more medals – including two golds – at the final night of the 2012 Carifta Championships in the Bahamas this evening [Apr.15].
The final round saw four local swimmers earn a trip to the podium to collect five more medals for Bermuda; two golds, one silver, and two bronze.
Jesse Washington won two more medals, picking up another gold in the 50m freestyle and a bronze in the 400m freestyle. The 12-year-old Sandys Middle School student has been the superstar of these Games winning seven medals in total; five gold, one silver and one bronze.
12-year-old Shannon Hassell won two medals earlier in the Games and added another one tonight, claiming her first gold medal in the 200m backstroke finishing in 2:39.79.
Bermuda’s Benedict Parfitt also earned a medal tonight, with the 17-year-old swimmer coming in second to claim the silver medal in the 50m freestyle. Ashley Yearwood, 17, then added to Bermuda’s medal tally, winning her first medal of the Games – a bronze in the 50m freestyle with a time of 27.40.
Bermuda ended the 2012 Carifta Swimming Championships with a very impressive 12 medals; six gold, three silver and three bronze.
The nine strong Bermuda team had a very solid performance all around, with multiple records and personal bests set in the Bahamas. Nic Patterson, Katrina Beveridge, Benedict Parfitt, Philip Hagen, Aaron Rego, Madelyn Moore, Ashley Yearwood, Washington and Hassell are set to return to Bermuda on Tuesday at 8.10pm on the American Airlines flight from Miami.
Windies put the brakes on Australia on day one
Off-spinner Shane Shillingford bowled impressively in his first Test in nearly two years to help West Indies put the brakes on Australia, on the opening day of the second Digicel Test here yesterday.
The right-armer finished the day with two for 56 from a marathon 32 overs as Australia, winning the toss and batting, closed on 208 for five at Queen’s Park Oval.
Vice-captain Shane Watson top-scored with 56 and captain Michael Clarke got 45 but neither could convert starts into big scores on a difficult surface.
When Watson became Shillingford’s second victim in the last session, West Indies were on top but the resilient Mike Hussey and rookie wicketkeeper/batsman Matthew Wade saw the Aussies to safety with an unbroken 30-run, sixth wicket stand.
Hussey was unbeaten on 26 while Wade finished on 16.
Both left-handers survived chances as Hussey was dropped on five by wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh off Shillingford at 173 for four and Wade survived a sharp chance to Kraigg Brathwaite at silly mid-on off off-spinner Narsingh Deonarine when he was two.
Australia also rode their luck in the opening hour as left-handed openers Ed Cowan and David Warner survived a testing opening burst from West Indies seamers to put on 53 for the first wicket.
Warner hit a customary breezy 29 from 42 balls with four fours while Cowan, quick on the pull but suspect on the front foot, got 28 off 74 balls with five boundaries.
On a pitch offering precious little assistance to the faster bowlers, the new ball pair of Kemar Roach and Fidel Edwards bowled impressively to beat the bat on several occasions.
There was drama in the first over of the innings when Warner was given out caught behind for four off the sixth ball from Edwards but captain Darren Sammy quickly withdrew the appeal, indicating the ball had not carried to Baugh.
Replays showed, however, that the ball had brushed the pad – and not the bat – on the way though and there was a strong case for an lbw verdict.
It was Shillingford who got the breakthrough with the fifth ball of his first over when he had Warner caught at slip by Sammy, driving at one that turned fractionally.
Cowan’s labour ended 14 minutes before lunch when he play across a straight one from Roach and was adjudged lbw.
Former captain Ricky Ponting never settled and he had added just two to his lunch score of five when he fell with the score on 83 for three, 20 minutes after the interval.
Roach, who claimed two for 77, squared up the master batsman with one that was angled in and then straightened and the right-hander had no answer as he nicked it behind.
Baugh muffed the catch only for an alert Sammy to pouch the rebound at first slip.
Watson and Clarke then threatened to take the game away from the Windies in a fourth wicket partnership of 84.
The right-handed Watson faced 172 balls and struck seven fours while Clarke, also right-handed, faced 99 balls and hit eight fours.
They took Australia to tea at 132 for three and accelerated afterward with Clarke taking two consecutive boundaries off the second over sent down by Roach.
Clarke, given out lbw on 41 to Shillingford before gaining a reprieve on review, failed to capitalise on his good fortune as he smashed a rank long hop from Deonarine to Shillingford at deep mid-wicket at 167 for four.
Six overs later, Watson popped a sharp catch to Adrian Barath at forward short leg off Shillingford, to leave the Aussies in a spot of bother.
Hussey, however, arrived to do what he does best, overcoming the early chance to Baugh to hit two fours off 83 balls while Wade has faced 47 and counted a single four.
AUSTRALIA 1st innings
D Warner c Sammy b Shillingford 29
E Cowan lbw b Roach 28
S Watson c Barath b Shillingford 56
R Ponting c Sammy b Roach 7
*M Clarke c Shillingford b Deonarine 45
M Hussey not out 26
+M Wade not out 11
Extras (lb3, nb3) 6
TOTAL (5 wkts; 90 overs) 208
To bat: M Beer, B Hilfenhaus, N Lyon, J Pattinson.
Fall of wickets: 1-53 (Warner), 2-65 (Cowan), 3-83 (Ponting), 4-167 (Clarke), 5-178 (Watson)
Bowling: Edwards 13-7-28-0, Roach 18-4-77-2, Sammy 12-4-16-0, Shillingford 32-11-56-2, Deonarine 15-3-28-1,
WEST INDIES – *D Sammy, A Barath, K Brathwaite, K Powell, D Bravo, S Chanderpaul, N Deonarine, +C Baugh, S Shillingford, K Roach, F Edwards.
CMC
Temasek to buy $2.3bn ICBC shares from Goldman Sachs
Singapore's Temasek Holdings has agreed a deal to buy Goldman Sachs's shares in the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the world's largest bank.
The state-owned fund will pick up $2.3bn (£1.5bn) worth of ICBC shares, taking its stake to 1.3% in the bank.
The move comes as China's state-owned banks have reported a surge in their profits.
Last month, ICBC reported that its net profit jumped 17% in the October to December quarter, from a year earlier.
Analysts said the dominance enjoyed by the state-owned banks in China makes them an attractive investment.
"China's banking sector has a huge potential. The state-owned banks are big drivers of Chinese growth and it is a good market to be in," Justin Harper of IG Markets told the BBC.
Over-exposed?
The Chinese banking sector has grown substantially over the past few years, driven by a surge in lending in the country.
However, that has also led to concerns about bad loans and their impact on the banks and their investors.
Analysts said that Temasek, which also holds stakes in China Construction Bank and the Bank of China, needs to ensure that it does not expose itself too much to these risks.
"They have to be careful that they are not putting all their eggs in one foreign basket," said Justin Harper.
Temasek's investment also comes at a time when China has indicated that it may open up the banking sector to private players in a bid to break the monopoly enjoyed by the state-owned banks.
Any such move is likely to see more competition in the market and expected to result in lower profit margins for the banks.
China loosens currency controls on the yuan
China has loosened its currency controls in a move that may spur gains in the value of the yuan.
From Monday, the yuan can fluctuate up to 1% in trading against the US dollar from a fixed price set by the central bank, the People's Bank of China said.
That is up from the previous limit of 0.5%.
The increase of the trading band was announced in English, a rare statement that suggests it was targeted at foreign audiences.
China has been under pressure to let the yuan appreciate.
Nations like the US believe that China keeps the yuan artificially low to boost its exports, giving it an unfair trading edge.
The US Treasury Department on Sunday welcomed the move.
"China's decision to widen the daily trading band for its exchange rate, if implemented in a way that allows the value of the exchange rate to reflect market forces, could contribute rebalancing, which would be positive for China, the United States, and the global economy," an official told Reuters.
He added there was still a "misalignment" with regards to China's exchange rate and more progress is needed.
Evolving situation
The PBOC said on Saturday that the band was increased to "meet market demands, promote price discovery, enhance the flexibility of RMB (yuan) exchange rate in both directions".
China's yuan was fixed against the dollar until 2005, when it was lifted and allowed to float against a basket of currencies each day.
Since then, the yuan has risen 31% against the dollar - to about 6.30 yuan at the moment.
Last month, China and and Australia signed a currency swap agreement in a bid to promote bilateral trade and investment.
It will allow for the exchange of local currencies between their central banks, worth up to 30bn Australian dollars ($31bn; £20bn) over three years.
The deal is expected to reduce cost for businesses, as they will be able to settle trade terms in local currency.
It is the latest in a series of similar deals signed by Beijing as it seeks a more global role for the yuan.
Virgin Atlantic to appeal against BMI sale to BA
Virgin Atlantic is to appeal against the European Commission's decision to allow the owner of British Airways to buy the airline BMI.
IAG, which also owns Spain's Iberia, has been given the go-ahead to buy its smaller rival from Lufthansa for £172.5m.
But Virgin said that the Commission "seemingly ignored all of the strong cases" made against the deal.
The deal is expected to take effect on 20 April, IAG has said.
The sale of BMI to IAG was announced in December and regulatory approval was granted by the Commission on 30 March.
BA will gain 56 more slots at Heathrow airport, although it has been forced to give up 12 slots as part of the deal.
'Lightning speed'
But Sir Richard Branson, president of Virgin Atlantic, criticised the Commission for reaching its conclusion in 35 working days.
"This deal was agreed with lightning speed and we think the number of slots offered is derisory - representing less than a quarter of BMI's former network," he said.
"We will challenge every aspect of this process which if allowed to stand, will undoubtedly damage the British airline industry for years to come.
"The European Commission has seemingly ignored all of the strong cases made by politicians, business groups and airlines, to enable one big company to become even more bloated."
Virgin will bid for all the 12 slots that BA has been forced to give up, the airline added.
Job losses
IAG has said that the takeover could result in the loss of up to 1,200 jobs.
BMI employs more than 3,600 staff, but reported a £153m loss in the year to 2010.
Based in Castle Donington, in Leicestershire, it operates flights to Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
It has 8.5% of the landing slots at Heathrow, the UK's busiest airport.
Fighting Ends in Afghan Capital
Afghan officials say all fighting with insurgents across the capital has now ended.
That announcement Monday came hours after residents of Kabul awoke to a second day of intense gunfire and loud explosions.
Afghan officials said at dawn that security personnel were exchanging fire with militants holed up in a building in Kabul's central diplomatic area, where insurgents began their coordinated attacks Sunday.
The attacks targeted the parliament, NATO headquarters and an area that includes the U.S., German and British embassies. Suicide blasts in the capital were followed by intense gunfire and rocket attacks. Dark smoke rose into the sky as Afghan troops rushed into the streets with weapons drawn. Residents took cover indoors and emergency alarms blared throughout the city.
The militants also struck three eastern provinces Sunday as part of what they called their “spring offensive.”
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the assaults.
Afghanistan's Interior Ministry reported that 19 attackers were killed and that 14 police officers and 9 civilians were wounded. Western embassies said none of their staff members was hurt. Government officials said at least three suspects have been detained.
NATO commander General John Allen praised Afghan security forces for their quick and well-coordinated response to the attacks. He said international forces are standing by to support their Afghan partners “when and if they need it.”
NATO spokesman Carsten Jacobson said insurgents were “indiscriminantly” firing at targets, not to “achieve a military success, but to achieve publicity.”
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the attacks “cowardly” during a call to U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker to assess the situation on the ground.
Violence has continued in the country as coalition forces have begun withdrawing from Afghanistan and transferring security responsibility to their Afghan counterparts.
During an interview with CNN Sunday, U.S. Ambassador Crocker said Afghan security forces responded “very professionally” to the coordinated strikes. The envoy noted Afghan troops successfully captured and killed suspects while suffering relatively few casualties of their own.
The United States and Afghanistan are also pushing toward completion of a long-term strategic agreement defining the U.S. presence in Afghanistan once all foreign combat troops leave the country by 2014.
Coordinated Taliban Strikes Rock Afghanistan
Taliban militants in Afghanistan have carried out coordinated attacks in the capital, Kabul, and three eastern provinces as part of what they call their “spring offensive.”
The attacks targeted the parliament, NATO headquarters in Kabul and an area that includes the U.S., German and British embassies.
Suicide blasts in the capital were followed by intense gunfire and rocket attacks.
Dark smoke rose into the sky as Afghan troops rushed into the streets with weapons drawn. Residents took cover indoors and emergency alarms blared throughout the city.
NATO commander General John Allen praised Afghan security forces for their quick and well-coordinated response to the attacks. He said international forces are standing by to support their Afghan partners “when and if they need it.”
Similar violence erupted in Jalalabad City in Nangahar province, Gardez in Paktia province and in Logar province.
After the initial attacks, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the assaults and warned that operations by suicide bombers were still underway.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the attacks “cowardly” during a call to U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker to assess the situation on the ground.
NATO spokesman Carsten Jacobson said insurgents were “indiscriminantly” firing at targets, not to “achieve a military success, but to achieve publicity.”
Afghanistan's Interior Ministry reported that 19 attackers were killed and that 14 police officers and 9 civilians were wounded. Western embassies said none of their staff members was hurt.
Government officials said at least three suspects have been detained.
Violence has continued in the country as coalition forces have begun withdrawing from Afghanistan and transferring security responsibility to their Afghan counterparts.
During an interview with CNN on Sunday, U.S. Ambassador to Kabul Ryan Crocker said Afghan security forces responded “very professionally” to the coordinated strikes. The envoy noted Afghan troops successfully captured and killed suspects while suffering relatively few casualties of their own.
The United States and Afghanistan are also pushing toward completion of a long-term strategic agreement defining the U.S. presence in Afghanistan once all foreign combat troops leave the country by 2014.
Obama: US Offered No ‘Freebies’ to Iran
U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday insisted his administration did not “give away anything” to Iran during the latest round of nuclear talks in Turkey.
Speaking to reporters in Cartagena, Colombia, where he attended the Summit of the Americas, Mr. Obama also defended Washington's decision to continue to push for a diplomatic resolution of the dispute over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
He said that while he refused to let the negotiations turn into a “stalling process,” he was willing to give diplomacy one last chance.
President Obama was responding to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said earlier Sunday that the U.S. and world powers gave Tehran a “freebie” by agreeing to hold another round of talks next month in Baghdad.
Saturday's talks in Istanbul between diplomats from Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany were the first since a previous round of talks collapsed 15 months ago amid mutual recriminations.
U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes called the discussions a “positive first step” and the plans to hold another meeting in May an “additional positive sign.”
When asked what message Israel should take from the meeting in Turkey, Rhodes said the U.S. and Israel have communicated “a sense of urgency,” that time is not unlimited. He said Washington and Tel Aviv have also stressed the need for concrete confidence-building steps by Iran.
The talks in Istanbul came at a time of increased international pressure on Tehran. New U.S. and European Union economic sanctions against Iran are due to go into effect July 1, while Israel has warned it may take military action.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie announce engagement
Hollywood A-listers Angelina Jolie, 36, and Brad Pitt, 48, are engaged to be married, a spokeswoman has confirmed.
But no wedding date has yet been set, she added, describing the engagement as "a promise for the future".
The couple, who are among Hollywood's most widely recognised celebrities, have been together since 2005.
They have six children together, including three adopted children. They are "very happy" about the news, the spokeswoman said.
Jolie, the daughter of actor Jon Voight and actress Marcheline Bertrand, has starred in blockbuster films such as Mr & Mrs Smith, where she met Pitt. She won an Oscar for her performance in the 1999 film Girl, Interrupted.
She was previously married to actors Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton.
Meanwhile, Pitt has starred in a string of hit films including blockbusters Ocean's Eleven, Seven and, more recently, the critically acclaimed Moneyball and Tree of Life.
Earlier, Pitt had high-profile relationships with actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Anniston, to whom he was married.
As a couple Pitt and Jolie have championed humanitarian causes.
In 2001 she became a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). She has also established a number of charitable organisations, among them the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.
India anger at Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan detention
India has reacted angrily to the detention of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan by US authorities for 90 minutes at White Plains airport near New York.
This "policy of detention and apology by the US cannot continue", External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said.
The actor arrived on a private plane and was on the way to Yale University for a function when he was stopped.
US customs and border protection authorities later expressed "profound" apologies for the incident.
The spokesman for the US embassy in Delhi, Peter Vrooman, also apologised "if Mr Shah Rukh Khan experienced an inconvenience or delay".
It is not clear why Khan was detained at the airport, which serves New York City.
In 2009 the actor was detained for two hours at Newark airport and was released after India's embassy in the US intervened.
The actor said then that he was stopped because he had a Muslim name. US customs officials denied that Khan had been detained, saying he was questioned.
'Uncalled for'
"Apologies from America have become mechanical," Mr Krishna said on Friday.
He also asked India's ambassador in the US, Nirupama Rao, to lodge a protest with Washington.
Member of Parliament Rajeev Shukla said the detention was "totally uncalled for".
The Bollywood film industry has also come out in support of the actor.
"All that the US immigration authorities need to know about Shah Rukh Khan, they can find it at the touch of a button," musician Javed Akhtar said.
Earlier, the Press Trust of India news agency reported that Khan was stopped and questioned for more than two hours before being cleared by immigration officials on Thursday.
He was freed after Yale University officials contacted homeland security and customs officials, the BBC's Salim Rizvi in New York said.
"Khan was very, very upset over the episode," the CNN-IBN channel said, quoting unnamed sources.
Later, he told the students of Yale University that he had been stopped and questioned at the airport.
But, he made light of the incident and joked about it.
"Whenever I start feeling arrogant about myself, I always take a trip to America. The immigration guys kick the star out of stardom," he said to laughter from the audience.
"They [immigration officials] always ask me how tall I am and I always lie and say 5ft 10 inches. Next time I am going to get more adventurous. [If they ask me] what colour are you, I am going to say white," he said.
Khan has appeared in more than 70 films and is considered one of India's most recognisable and popular celebrities.
Other incidents
There have been several incidents in the past of prominent Indian officials being stopped or frisked at US airports.
In December 2010, the US expressed regret after India's then-ambassador Meera Shankar was pulled out of an airport security line and frisked by a security agent.
Some reports said she was singled out as she was wearing a sari.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was concerned about the incident and vowed to prevent a recurrence.
And in 2009, America's Continental Airlines apologised to former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam for frisking him before he boarded a flight to the US.
Members of India's parliament were outraged after it emerged that Mr Kalam had been frisked and made to remove his shoes at Delhi airport in April.
Protocol exempts former presidents and other dignitaries from such searches.