Atletico to showcase power shift in Madrid

Atletico Madrid return to Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu home on Saturday for the first time since breaking their 14-year drought in the Madrid derby back in May.

Diego Simeone's men won the Copa del Rey in their rival's own backyard 2-1 after extra time in an action-packed encounter that saw Real's star man Cristiano Ronaldo and then manager Jose Mourinho sent off.
Mourinho has since been replaced by Carlo Ancelotti on the Real bench, but Atletico's revival under Simeone continues unhindered as they currently lead their city rivals by two points in La Liga having won all six of their matches to date.
Victory over Osasuna on Tuesday meant Atletico equalled their best ever start to a league season and they are looking to continue their sensational form in the biggest game either side has faced so far this season.
"We know we can win and we know how to beat them. We have managed to do it now," said Atletico defender Filipe Luis.
"We know it is still going to be very difficult, even when having an off day in the cup final, they had six or seven clear chances and hit the post a few times.
"But our team is very solid, we have a spectacular collective level and we need to maintain that with the spirit that no one is more important than anyone else."
Gareth Bale is expected to finally make his home debut for Real after a thigh strain forced him to pull out of last weekend's 4-1 win over Getafe in the warm-up.
And with Luis likely to go head-to-head with the Welshman, he is aware of the challenge that awaits him.
"I think that the best thing for the spectacle is that everyone is available and able to play.
"Bale is a very good player, but Real Madrid have the fortune to be able to count on Bale or Di Maria, who also cost 40 million, or Isco, who cost I don't know how much.
"Whoever plays it is obvious Bale is a fantastic player. I have never played against him, but I know it will be difficult to stop him."
Diego Costa will be the biggest threat to Real with his seven goals in six league games so far rumoured to have the naturalised Brazilian on the verge of a call-up to the Spanish national team.
And the hosts will have to substantially improve on their showing against Elche in midweek as only a controversial injury time penalty converted by Ronaldo prevented them from dropping four points behind Atletico and Barcelona.
"Obviously playing like this we are not going to win the derby," a furious Ancelotti admitted after his side's 2-1 victory.
"We need to play with more intensity and personality."
Marcelo could also return to the Madrid side after missing the last few weeks in place of Fabio Coentrao at left-back.
And the Italian must decide which two from Asier Illarramendi, Luka Modric and Sami Khedira will start in midfield.
Barcelona have the chance to open up an advantage at the top of the table when they travel to Almeria earlier on Saturday.
The Catalans looked back to their fluent best in a 4-1 destruction of Real Sociedad on Tuesday and victory would also seal their best ever start to a league campaign.
However, there are defensive concerns for coach Gerardo Martino as Javier Mascherano has joined Jordi Alba on the sidelines.
The inexperienced Marc Bartra is likely to deputise for the Argentine as club captain Carles Puyol is still well short of match fitness after successive knee surgeries in March and June.

Top 10 Halal Friendly Shopping Destinations

Every year, Crescentrating issues a list of Halal-friendly travel guides specifically intended for Muslim travellers. Here are the top ten destinations for Halal friendly shopping charted out by Crescentrating. The rankings are based on its surveys and traveler feedback. These ten destinations provide not just a great shopping experience, but also cater well to the needs of Muslim shoppers with Halal food availability.

 

Obama and Iran's Rouhani speak in historic phone call

US President Barack Obama and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani spoke by phone in a historic and first direct contact between leaders of their estranged nations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The stunning 15-minute call, starting at 2:30 pm (1830 GMT), was the fruit of a diplomatic opening forged by Rouhani's election in June on a mandate to ease confrontation with the West and lift nuclear sanctions that have pulverized the Iranian economy.
"Just now, I spoke on the phone with President Rouhani of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Obama said in a televised statement, revealing the most intriguing turn yet in relations between the Islamic Republic and a superpower it branded the "Great Satan."
"The two of us discussed our ongoing efforts to reach an agreement over Iran's nuclear program."
The impetus for the call came from Iranian officials, who US officials said told them hours earlier in New York that Rouhani wanted to speak to Obama before leaving the United Nations General Assembly.
The White House had indicated to Tehran earlier this week that it was open to an informal encounter between the leaders at the United Nations.
But the Iranians at the time said such a meeting was too complicated, raising questions as to whether Rouhani was wary of angering hardliners in Iran's clerical hierarchy.
The leaders' momentous conversation took place when Rouhani was on his way to the airport in his official limousine, the Iranian side said.
Obama spoke in English and Rouhani spoke Farsi as they chatted through interpreters, according to US officials.
But before hanging up, in an exchange that would have been thought impossible only days ago, Obama bade Rouhani "khodahafez" -- farsi for "goodbye."
Rouhani replied "have a good day, Mr president" in English, according to tweets by the Iranian leader's office and a US official.
The two countries severed diplomatic relations in 1980, a year after the Islamic Revolution in Iran toppled the US-backed shah.
The aftermath of the revolution also triggered a 444-day standoff at the US Embassy in Tehran in which a total of 52 American hostages were held by militant students until January 1981.
Obama said that, despite the unprecedented nature of the call with Rouhani and hopes for a lasting diplomatic breakthrough, he was mindful of obstacles ahead.
"The very fact that this was the first communication between an American and Iranian president since 1979 underscores the deep mistrust between our countries, but it also indicates the prospect of moving beyond that difficult history."
Obama said he told Rouhani that he believed a "resolution" was possible to the dispute over Iran's uranium enrichment program, which the West believes is a covert effort to produce nuclear weapons -- a charge Tehran denies.
Obama noted that Rouhani had said that Iran would never develop nuclear arms and that Washington respected the right of Iranians to access peaceful nuclear energy.
"So the test will be meaningful, transparent, and verifiable actions, which can also bring relief from the comprehensive international sanctions that are currently in place," the US president added.
Washington and Israel have both warned of possible military action if diplomacy fails to assuage their concerns over the nuclear program.
The Iranian presidency confirmed the telephone call between Obama and Rouhani.
"The two insisted on political will for quick resolution to the nuclear issue, as well as paving the ground for resolving other issues and cooperation in regional issues," it said on its website.
A Twitter account run by Rouhani's office also gave details of the call.
"In phone convo, President Rouhani and President @BarackObama expressed their mutual political will to rapidly solve the nuclear issue," one tweet said.
The call took place after pathbreaking bilateral talks Thursday between Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at the UN, on the sidelines of wider discussions on the nuclear program between Iran and major world powers.
A senior US official said that Washington had informed Israel of the call, as well as leaders in Congress.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Obama at the White House on Monday, and is likely to raise Israeli doubts that Rouhani's charm offensive is genuine or will lead to a dismantling of the Iranian nuclear program.
The Israeli leader has branded Rouhani a "wolf in sheep's clothing" but a senior US official said Washington understood his concerns.
"It is entirely understandable for the Israeli government to be deeply skeptical," the official said, referring to past threats to wipe the Jewish state off the map made by the previous Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Rouhani earlier continued his charm offensive in New York during a trip which set the next high level talks on the country's nuclear program in Geneva on October 15 and 16.
He said at a news conference that Iran would present a plan at the talks to resolve concerns over its atomic activities and vowed never to deviate from promises to the West.
"Iran will prepare that plan and will present it in Geneva. We hope it will serve as an even more effective step to settle the nuclear issue," Rouhani said.
Rouhani said he hoped to resolve the row in a "short period of time," a day after his foreign minister said that major powers had set a goal of a deal within one year.
The Rouhani call was the latest staggering turn for Obama's foreign policy after the United States secured agreement with Russia in New York on a deal to eradicate Syria's chemical weapons arsenal and on a UN resolution that later cleared the Security Council.
It came at a moment in which his presidency is under siege in a battle with Republicans over a budget and the national borrowing limit, which threatens to shutter the US government and could force the country to default on its debts for the first time.

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Dakwa AirAsia hidang babi, bekas menteri mohon maaf enam bulan

Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin diminta untuk mengemukakan permohonan maaf selama enam bulan oleh kumpulan AirAsia berhubung dakwaan mengatakan babi dihidangkan dalam penerbangan pesawat syarikat itu untuk menggelakkan disaman sebanyak RM5 juta.

Bekas Menteri Penerangan Umno itu mengemukakan permohonan maaf kepada AirAsia pada bulan lalu di blognya Zamkata, berkata tidak mampu membayar saman kerana sara hidupnya hanya berdasarkan wang persaraan.
“AirAsia meminta saya menyiarkan permohonan maaf ini selama enam bulan tetapi saya akan siarkan untuk bertahun-tahun akan datang dengan tujuan penyebarannya lebih meluas dan bagi pengetahuan dari generasi ke generasi.
“Saya berterima kasih kepada Rocky's Bru yang menyatakan setiakawan bagi pihak penulis blog dan jaminan membela saya dalam menghadapi sebarang tindakan dari AirAsia,” katanya merujuk kepada penulis blog yang juga bekas Ketua Pengarang Malay Mail, Datuk Ahirudin Attan.
Dalam permohonan maafnya kepada AirAsia, beliau tidak menyangka artikel yang bertajuk, “Hidangan babi dalam penerbangan AirAsia, orang Islam patut tangguhkan dulu terbang dengan pesawat ini" di dalam blognya memberikan implikasi buruk kepada nama baik AirAsia dan AirAsiaX.
Katanya, selepas menerima surat tuntutan dari peguambela dam peguamcara AirAsia Berhad kira-kira sebulan dari tarikh penyiaran artikel tersebut, maka barulah beliau menyedari bahawa artikel itu memberikan implikasi atau gambaran,seolah-olah babi dihidangkan dalam penerbangan AirAsia dan AirAsia X yang mana dakwaan itu tidak benar sama sekali.
“Saya mohon maaf kepada AirAsia Berhad diatas sebarang kecederaan yang menimpa mereka kerana artikel tersebut dan saya berharap orang ramai tidak mempunyai sebarang prasangka bahawa babi ada dihidangkan di dalam penerbangan AirAsia dan AirAsia X.
“Saya yakin dan percaya bahawa AirAsia dan AirAsia X sangat prihatin terhadap sensitiviti agama kesemua penumpang mereka,” jelasnya menerusi blog Zamkata.
Hal ini dipanjangkan kepada Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) Kumpulan AirAsia, Datuk Kamaruddin Meranum semasa majlis sambutan Aidilfitri Utusan Melayu namun beliau enggan mengulas lanjut tentang tindakan saman yang diambil oleh AirAsia dan AirAsia X terhadap Zainuddin.
Kamaruddin berkata, AirAsia bukanlah anti Utusan meskipun syarikat penerbangan tambang rendah itu menarik balik iklan dalam akhbar milik Umno tersebut.

Hasan: Harga petrol naik lagi hanya spekulasi

Kerajaan akan menimbang untuk mengeluarkan kenyataan berkala mengenai sebarang perubahan mengenai subsidi bahan api bagi mengelak spekulasi mengenai kenaikan harga petrol.

Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan, Datuk Hasan Malek (gambar), berkata tindakan ini akan diambil bagi mengelak timbulnya spekulasi mengenai kenaikan harga minyak oleh sesetengah pihak.
"Kalau ada permintaan supaya kita buat berkala (kenyataan), kita akan usahakan sebab kita ini kerajaan yang berlandaskan sokongan rakyat. Kalau perlu, kita akan keluarkan kenyataan dari semasa ke semasa," katanya.
Hasan berkata demikian ketika mengulas serta menafikan penyebaran maklumat kononnya harga minyak RON95 naik sepuluh sen kepada RM2.20 seliter tengah malam semalam.
Katanya, akibat penyebaran maklumat palsu pihak yang tidak bertanggungjawab itu menyebabkan pembelian panik di stesen petrol semalam.
"Saya menghadiri mesyuarat Kabinet pagi tadi yang dipengerusikan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, namun kita tidak bincang pun soal harga minyak naik kali ini.
"Saya sebagai menteri menafikan spekulasi itu, malah kecewa kerana masih ada segelintir orang yang hendak buat cerita tidak betul ini. Bagi saya, mereka ini berniat jahat," katanya dan meminta perbuatan yang tidak bertanggungjawab ini dihentikan.

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Nazri Jr 'buys RM7mil house', Nazri Sr: 'Not my problem'

Once again, Nazri Abdul Aziz's son is in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. And once again, his father dismisses it in his trademark style.

This time, it is over a report that his son, Nedim, had purchased a RM7.2 million bungalow.
"He can buy a palace, it's not my problem," Nazri told reporters curtly when asked on this matter in the Parliament lobby.
However, the culture and tourism minister also appeared to be in the dark about the reports.
Initially, he was taken aback by the question, and asked: "What house?"
Earlier today, Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) had issued a press release along with documents which purportedly Nedim's purchase.
The group claims that Nazri had to explain how his son was able to afford the luxurious property.
When contacted, SAMM coodinator Badrul Hisham Shaharin said that the location of the property would be revealed soon.
Nazri did not elaborate further on the allegation.
This is however not the first time Nedim had found himself in the limelight.
Just recently, bloggers had questioned Nazri's decision in naming Nedim as an officer in at his Tourism and Culture Ministry.
But Nazri clarified that Nedim was merely an officer helping him in his constituency in Padang Rengas and was not on the government's payroll.
Last year, Nedim was alleged to own a luxury car gifted to him by controversial businessman Michael Chia.
But Nazri responded bullishly on the allegation, saying he does not need to know what his son does, and that he doesn't "sleep" with his son.

Injured Ronaldinho could miss Club World Cup

Ronaldinho is in a race against time to be fit for the Club World Cup in December after suffering a serious groin injury, South American champions Atletico Mineiro said on Friday.
The Brazilian team's doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said the former Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker had felt pain in his left adductor muscle during training on Thursday.
"After clinical exams and a scan we confirmed he had totally ruptured the adductor muscle of his left thigh," Lamar told the club's official website (www.atletico.com.br).
He added that Ronaldinho was having intensive physiotherapy, with club president Alexandre Kalil quoted as saying Ronaldinho would have "wartime treatment", Globo reported on its website(www.globoesporte.globo.com).
Atletico reached the Club World Cup in Morocco, in which their first match is scheduled for December 18, by winning South America's Libertadores Cup for the first time in July.
They are favourites to meet Europe's Champions League winners Bayern Munich in the final.
"It's a grave injury," said Lasmar. "The recovery time is not short, it's around two and a half months, three months, three and a half months.
"The big question being asked is whether he'll be able to play the (Club) World Cup. I believe it's possible."
Ronaldinho looks set to miss the rest of the Brazilian championship which ends on December 8.
Atletico are eighth with 32 points from 23 matches, 18 adrift of leaders Cruzeiro, their arch-rivals in their home city of Belo Horizonte. They are at home to Santos on Sunday.

Cold war in prospect as Mourinho faces Villas-Boas

All eyes will be on Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas as the former friends meet in a bitter grudge match on Saturday.

Any derby between Spurs and Chelsea offers the potential for an explosive encounter, but Mourinho's dysfunctional relationship with his former pupil Villas-Boas makes the London rivals' latest clash at White Hart Lane even more flammable than usual.
Mourinho was infuriated this week when Villas-Boas lifted the lid on the simmering tensions between the two Portuguese coaches, who have gone from close colleagues to feuding enemies in the space of four years.
"We had a great personal and professional relationship before that we don't have now," Villas-Boas said.
"I don't think we need explanations. But our relationship broke down.
"I think we have the mutual respect for each other and we understand what we have been through cannot just disappear but it's not like it was before."
Mourinho responded by attempting to take the moral high ground, saying: "I don't describe (the relationship), because I'm not a kid to discuss relationships with the media. It's a personal thing.
"I don't care what he says. I'm here, not to comment on what he says or what to know what he says. I'm not interested."
The enmity between the two grew slowly over the years.
Villas-Boas, who worked as a scout compiling dossiers on opponents, was a trusted member of Mourinho's backroom staff at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan.
Crushing loss to City
But the first fracture in their relationship occurred when Mourinho rejected Villas-Boas's request for more involvement in coaching, a decision that prompted Villas-Boas to quit Inter to go it alone as a manager in Portugal.
When Villas-Boas eventually took over at Porto and credited legendary boss Bobby Robson, rather than Mourinho, with his rise to prominence, the rift grew wider still.
Now they will face off for the first time since their separation in 2009 and there have been enough barbs between the pair over the last few months to suggest the bench at White Hart Lane will be as closely watched as the action on the pitch.
Meanwhile, leaders Arsenal, unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, visit a Swansea City side smarting after their League Cup defence was ended by second-tier Birmingham City.
Manchester United reacted to their 4-1 derby humiliation at Manchester City last weekend by eliminating Liverpool in the League Cup and the champions will hope to get back to winning ways in the league by defeating West Brom.
The crushing loss to City left the champions five points below Arsenal in eighth place, but centre-back Jonny Evans says he has known darker days at Old Trafford.
"I have been on the training ground where the atmosphere has been worse than it was when we came in the day after the (City) game," Evans said.
"We had no complaints at the weekend. Everyone was honest in their assessment that we didn't apply ourselves the way we should have.
"It is hard for the fans, the players and the manager as well. We just had to move on from it quickly."
City continued their goal-scoring form by avenging last season's FA Cup final loss to Wigan Athletic with a 5-0 League Cup win over the Championship side in mid-week, ahead of a trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Montenegro striker Stevan Jovetic opened his account for City with a brace and will hope to keep his place in the starting line-up at Villa Park.
The post-Paolo Di Canio era continues for Sunderland with a home game against Liverpool on Sunday, when caretaker coach Kevin Ball will once again be in charge of first-team affairs.
Liverpool can call upon last season's top scorer Luis Suarez for the first time in the league this season, after he returned to action in the mid-week loss to United following a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.

Barcelona football star Lionel Messi arrives at the courthouse

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has appeared in court to answer charges of evading 4.16 million euros ($5 million) in taxes in a case that stunned the sporting world.

Dressed in a dark jacket and white shirt, the 26-year-old Argentine international made no comment before or after the closed-door hearing on Friday at a court in Gava, the coastal suburb of Barcelona where he lives.
Testimony by the four-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award revealed his desire to resolve the matter, Messi's lawyer, Cristobal Martel, told reporters after the hearing.
"It showed little intent to defraud and great intent to resolve the situation with the tax office instead of entering into a bitter battle with the state," the lawyer said.
Crowds of reporters and fans gathered outside the court where first Messi's father Jorge Messi and then the player himself were quizzed on charges of evading tax on the striker's image rights to the tune of 4.16 million euros.
They have denied wrongdoing, pointing the finger at a former agent of the player.
The court said Jorge Messi paid the tax authorities five million euros in August -- the 4.16 million euros claimed by the taxman plus interest -- which is likely to significantly reduce any sentence should they be found guilty.
'I am not worried'
Lionel Messi's form on the field has scarcely been affected, with the Barcelona forward scoring 10 goals in just seven matches this season as the Spanish champions remain unbeaten.
"I am not worried, I'm always on the sidelines of all that, just like my dad. We have our lawyers and our advisors who handle these things. We trust in them and they will solve the issue," he said in July.
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella also appeared unconcerned Friday, calling up Messi for next month's World Cup qualifiers despite having already secured a place at the 2014 finals.
Nor do Messi's legal problems appear to have tarnished his image among Barcelona fans.
"What I want is for this to be resolved quickly so Messi can relax and focus on the football," said one fan outside the court, Joaquin Bosch, 60, wearing a Barcelona shirt.
The case began in June when a prosecutor accused the Messis of evading tax by ceding the player's image rights to "purely instrumental entities" in Belize and Uruguay.
According to the prosecutor's report, Messi "obtained significant income" from image rights between 2006 and 2009 for which he failed to pay required taxes.
The news caused astonishment in Spain where Messi is seen as a more humble figure than other football stars, particularly his Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
"He has a very professional image, of being focused on what he does and very close to the public," said Carles Canto, a marketing expert for IMG Consulting.
'Like siesta or paella'
Despite the initial consternation, the player's popularity doesn't appear to have diminished.
"Messi's image amongst Barcelona fans is so solid that it is very difficult for it to be clouded by this case," said Enric Baneres, a sports journalist for Catalan daily La Vanguardia.
"Tax evasion is something so common in Spain, like the siesta or paella, that the people are very permissive with it."
According to a document sent by Messi's father to the court, obtained by Catalan daily El Periodico, his former agent Rodolfo Schinocca was put in charge of organising the "structure and management" of the income from Messi's image rights.
Schinocca told Spanish radio station Cope that he had nothing to do with the case because he stopped working with the Messis in 2006, before the supposed offences took place. He accused Jorge Messi of wanting an offshore account to manage the income from the image rights.
While Messi's 323 goals in 387 games for Barca have made him irreplaceable on the field, his income from endorsements off it has also soared.
Between 2007 and 2009 he earned more than 10.17 million euros in image rights. US magazine Forbes lists him as the 10th highest paid sportsman in the world with an annual income of $21 million from endorsements alone.
Despite the court case, Messi continues to lead advertising campaigns for brands like Adidas and video games maker EA Sports. Its latest version of the immensely popular FIFA game franchise was released in Spain the day before Messi was due to appear in court with his picture on the front cover.

Napoli back to the correct stage.

Napoli's midfielder Marek Hamsik of Slovakia celebrates after scoring

Napoli face struggling Genoa away in a bid to reclaim top spot in Italy's Serie A on Saturday, when AC Milan host Sampdoria in the hope of finally kickstarting their disastrous season.

Napoli, believed to be the biggest threat to champions Juventus, dropped two precious points in a surprising 1-1 draw at home against basement side Sassuolo on Wednesday.
It came days after the league new boys were thrashed 7-0 at home by Inter Milan and allowed Roma to stretch their lead at the top of the table to two points following their 2-0 away win at Sampdoria.
Despite claiming Napoli did not under-estimate a determined Sassuolo side, coach Rafael Benitez was coy after the game.
"We have to learn from this match," said the Spaniard.
The slip means the Azzurri will head to Genoa, who by Saturday's game will have met five of the top six teams from last season, extra determined to secure all three points.
Slovakian forward Marek Hamsik, who has scored four goals in five games, said: "It wasn't a satisying result for us, but now we have to look ahead to Genoa and make amends."
Having just scraped into the top three at the end of last season, a raft of injuries and some poor displays have seen AC Milan drop to 12th.
Massimiliano Allegri's side are already 10 points behind Roma and are missing recently-signed playmaker Kaka, who is sidelined with injury, as well as other key players including striker Mario Balotelli.
Serving a three-game ban for being sent-off in last week's 2-1 home defeat to Napoli, Balotelli was conspicuous by his absence when Milan scraped a 3-3 draw away to Bologna on Wednesday.
Balotelli on Thursday apologised to his fellow players and the fans for his costly outburst.
"Firstly, I am sorry for my teammates," Balotelli said in excerpts of an interview to be published in Friday's Gazzetta dello Sport.
"They train and work hard with me. What I did hasn't helped our cause. I also feel guilty for the fans, who care so much for the team."
However the former Manchester City striker suggested there was a limit to just how far his apologies would go.
"I made a mistake when I was provoked... but I'm not going to apologise to everyone. It's not as if I killed someone," added Balotelli, whose absence has heaped the pressure on mis-firing fellow striker Alessandro Matri.
Although Napoli can go top of the pile Saturday, a draw at Genoa would boost Juventus's hopes of taking the lead for the first time this season when they face Torino away in the city derby.
Juventus's were lucky to come away from Chievo with a 2-1 win on Wednesday thanks to an own goal by Alessandro Bernardini in the 65th minute.
But by Juve's standards, it was a poor overall performance and 'keeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon -- who was at fault prior to Chievo's early opener -- says it's time to roll up the sleeves.
"We all could have played better, me included," said the Italy international.
Striker Carlos Tevez, who played only the last 15 minutes against Chievo, is expected to start as well as midfield star Arturo Vidal, who was given a cameo role at the end of the midweek game.
It means Fernando Llorente, who scored on his debut last week, should return to the bench -- a sign that Juve coach Antonio Conte may be preparing the Spanish striker for the Champions League clash against Galatasaray next week.
If both Napoli and Juventus slip up, it would pave the way for Inter, who are away to Cagliari, to go top having moved up to second with a 2-1 win over Fiorentina on Thursday.
Leaders Roma host Bologna in Sunday's late game while Parma, who claimed their first win of the campaign in midweek, are away to Fiorentina.

Menteri: Celup ayam dalam pewarna perbuatan salah

Perbuatan mencelup ayam dalam cairan pewarna bagi tujuan menipu pengguna kononnya itu ayam kampung adalah salah di sisi undang-undang, kata Menteri Kesihatan Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.
  
"Setakat ini pewarna yang dikesan tidak menjejaskan kesihatan dan diguna oleh industri makanan lain. Tetapi ini tidak bermakna mereka boleh guna pewarna itu untuk menipu pengguna," katanya kepada pemberita di Putrajaya semalam.

Beliau mengulas laporan akhbar baru-baru ini yang menyebut ada segelintir peniaga ayam bertindak mencelup daging ayam ternak dalam cairan pewarna kuning, dipercayai anilina, agar ayam itu menyerupai ayam kampung.
  
Mengulas lanjut, Dr Subramaniam berkata kementeriannya akan terus mengambil sampel ayam untuk siasatan lanjut.
  
Setakat ini sampel positif ialah sampel yang diambil di sekitar Selangor dan Pulau Pinang, katanya.

Sementara itu Ketua Pengarah Kesihatan Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah berkata penambahan bahan pewarna yang dibenarkan mengikut Peraturan-Peraturan Makanan 1985 tidak dibenarkan di dalam daging ayam dan satu kesalahan menurut Seksyen 13B(2) (d) Akta Makanan 1983.
  
Jika sabit kesalahan, boleh dijatuhi hukuman denda tidak lebih RM20,000 atau penjara tidak lebih lima tahun atau kedua-duanya, katanya dalam kenyataan yang diedar kepada wakil media.
  
Beliau berkata setakat ini keputusan analisis menunjukkan ada sampel yang diambil pihaknya mengandungi pewarna Tartrazine dan Sunset Yellow FCF.
  
Sehubungan itu peniaga terlibat akan dikenakan tindakan, katanya dalam satu kenyataan yang diedarkan dalam sidang akhbar berkenaan.
  
Menurutnya penggunaan anilina sebagai pewarna di dalam makanan adalah dilarang mengikut Akta Makanan 1983 dan Peraturan-peraturan Makanan 1985.
  
"Mengikut Seksyen 13, Akta Makanan 1983, sesiapa yang menyedia atau menjual apa-apa makanan yang di dalamnya mengandungi bahan yang membahayakan kesihatan, boleh dijatuhi hukuman denda atau penjara tidak lebih 10 tahun atau kedua-duanya," kata Dr Noor Hisham.
  
Beliau juga meminta pengguna yang ragu-ragu dengan status keselamatan makanan di pasaran tempatan agar memaklumkannya kepada pejabat kesihatan daerah, negeri atau terus ke kementerian

MRT Corps nafi projeknya sebabkan gangguan bekalan air

Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) menafikan dakwaan bahawa kerja pembinaan projeknya menyebabkan beberapa kejadian gangguan bekalan air berlaku.
  
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif MRT Corp Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid, ketika menafikan dakwaan Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas), berkata gangguan berkenaan berlaku ekoran kewujudan perkhidmatan di kawasan yang tidak dipetakan dan perkara itu perlu ditangani syarikat utiliti terbabit.
  
Beliau berkata perkhidmatan utiliti termasuk air, elektrik serta telekomunikasi dipetakan oleh pemiliknya dan semua kerja pembinaan yang memerlukan pemindahan sementara atau kekal adalah berdasarkan peta yang disediakan mereka.
  
"MRT Corp telah mengulang periksa data yang diterima daripada pemilik utiliti menerusi pemeriksaan secara imbasan dan fizikal di peringkat awal kerja.
  
"Bagaimanapun, sesetengah utiliti mungkin tidak boleh dikesan oleh alat pengimbas seperti plastik," katanya dalam satu kenyataan semalam.
  
Beliau juga mengakui bahawa kerja mengimbas mampu menghalang gangguan perkhdmatan seperti yang berlaku apabila pihaknya mengesan kabel utama bekalan kuasa di Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock di sini yang tidak terdapat dapat peta utiliti.
  
Azhar juga mencadangkan satu badan ditubuh oleh agensi berkenaan sebagai pusat sehenti bagi data seumpamanya.
  
"Sebuah pusat sehenti bagi lokasi semua perkhidmatan utiliti boleh menjadi rahmat kepada industri pembinaan.
  
"Yang pasti ia akan membolehkan kos pembinaan projek diurus lebih baik selain mengurangkan kesulitan kepada orang ramai," katanya.
  
Semalam, SYABAS mendakwa sebanyak 16 kes paip pecah yang dicatat tahun ini adalah disebabkan oleh kerja-kerja projek MRT/LRT berbanding lapan pada 2012.
   

The Ultimate Financial Security:

18 Steps You Can Take to Prepare Yourself for the Next Economic Meltdown

September 28th, 2013
You don't need to be an economist to know this much: The government has racked up $16 trillion in debt — and it has ruined our country.
Certain presidents have decided to ignore the pleas of the people.
Multi-trillion-dollar wars... Unrestrained "stimulus" for social welfare programs... Bailouts for Big Banks...
Taking on that much debt without being able to pay it back is simply unsustainable.
The creditors (China!) will come calling one day soon. And when they do, our government won't be able to pay them back.
We'll have an economic collapse of historical proportions on our hands.
Bank accounts will be obliterated. Unemployment will be the norm. Urban unrest will grip the country. Millions of lives will be ruined...
But yours doesn't have to be one of them.
You can take simple steps now to fully prepare yourself for disaster later.
And it all starts by following the recommendations in your copy of "The Ultimate Financial Security: 18 Steps You Can Take to Prepare Yourself for the Next Economic Meltdown."
In it you'll find 18 ways to prepare for the imminent economic collapse — from securing your financial assets with gold to selecting an appropriate firearm to protect your home from an increasing number opportunist criminals.
Consider it civilization insurance.
Don't get caught unprepared for this historical disaster.

 

Penjara 12 tahun cuba bunuh ketua Pemuda Umno Kepong

Seorang pembantu jualan dijatuhi hukuman penjara 12 tahun oleh Mahkamah Sesyen Ampang hari ini selepas didapati bersalah atas cubaan membunuh Ketua Pemuda Umno Kepong Datuk Norizan Ali menggunakan sebilah parang, tahun lepas.
  
Hakim Manira Mohd Nor membuat keputusan itu selepas pihak pembelaan gagal menimbulkan keraguan munasabah terhadap pertuduhan dihadapi Mohd Haswan Hashim, 23, di akhir kes pembelaan.
  
Beliau memerintahkan Mohd Haswan menjalani hukuman itu bermula hari ini.
  
Manira turut menolak permohonan peguam Muhamad Zarif Othman yang mewakili Mohd Haswan untuk menangguhkan pelaksanaan hukuman itu.

Dalam penghakimannya, beliau berkata pembelaan tertuduh bersifat penafian semata-mata malah wujud percanggahan keterangannya dengan saksi pembelaan.

"Saya telah membuat perbandingan sewajarnya antara keterangan mangsa dengan tertuduh dan saksi pembelaan kedua (Mohd Azril Ab Shukor), dan saya memilih untuk mempercayai mangsa," kata hakim itu.
  
Manira berkata tetakan terhadap mangsa secara bertubi-tubi sebanyak lima kali cukup menunjukkan niat pelaku yang ingin menyebabkan kematian mangsa.

Beliau berkata mahkamah turut mengambil kira faktor kepentingan awam dan keterangan impak saksi.
  
Mohd Haswan dan Mohd Azril, 29, didakwa menyerang Norizan, 41, dengan menggunakan parang di bahagian perut, badan dan tangan sehingga boleh menyebabkan kematian.
  
Kesalahan itu didakwa dilakukan di tepi jalan Cahaya 2, Ampang pada pukul 2.30 pagi, 24 Sept 2012, mengikut Seksyen 307 (1) Kanun Keseksaan yang membawa hukuman penjara 20 tahun dan denda jika sabit kesalahan.
  
Pendakwaan dilakukan oleh Timbalan Pendakwa Raya Nadiah Malek Fauzie.
  
Mohd Azril, seorang pengawal kelab sedang menjalani hukuman penjara enam tahun selepas mengaku salah terhadap pertuduhan sama pada 8 November 2012.
  
Sementara itu, Norizan yang hadir ke mahkamah memberi keterangan impaks mangsa berkata akibat kejadian itu, beliau mengalami gangguan mental dan fizikal sebagai seorang ahli politik.
  
"Saya perlu menanggung kesan kejadian itu, luka di bahagian perut masih dirasai terutama hanya dapat makan dalam kuantiti yang sedikit," kata Norizan.

Under-21 Premier League Cup: Fixtures and results

Under-21 Premier League Cup fixtures/results

Qualifying Round 2 (to be played week beginning 21 October 2013)
North
Crewe Alexandra v Burnley or Wigan Athletic
Derby County v Hull City
Coventry City v Notts County
Sheffield United v Birmingham City
Barnsley v Leeds United
Huddersfield Town v Sheffield Wednesday
BYE - Nottingham Forest

South
Queens Park Rangers v AFC Wimbledon or Gillingham
Plymouth Argyle v Watford or Bristol Rovers
Swansea City v Millwall
Crystal Palace v Exeter City or Torquay
Brighton & Hove Albion v Cardiff City
Qualifying Round 1
North
23 September: Preston North End 0-2 Hull City
24 September: Doncaster Rovers 0-3 Notts County
8 October: Burnley v Wigan Athletic

South
24 September: Bournemouth 1-2 Plymouth Argyle
26 September: Peterborough United v Colchester United
30 September: Exeter City v Torquay United
1 October: AFC Wimbledon v Gillingham
3 October: Watford v Bristol Rovers

Tanda Putera ditempah untuk tayangan luarFilem kontroversi arahan Shuhaimi Baba Tanda Putera menerima permohonan untuk tempahan tayangan di luar negara. "Filem Tanda Putera juga menerima permohonan untuk tempahan tayangan di luar negara dan nampaknya memerlukan kehadiran pengarah dan artis juga untuk sesi dialog," menurut kenyataan di laman Facebook filem sejarah itu semalam. Mengulas perkembangan terkininya pula, kenyataan itu menyebut, kutipan di pawagam dan tempahan khas melebihi RM1.5 juta. Pembikinan Tanda Putera menelan belanja RM4.8 juta, tetapi angka box office beberapa minggu lalu menunjukkan ia gagal mendapat keuntungan berbanding kos penghasilannya. Tanda Putera ditaja oleh badan kerajaan.

Filem kontroversi arahan Shuhaimi Baba Tanda Putera menerima permohonan untuk tempahan tayangan di luar negara.

"Filem Tanda Putera juga menerima permohonan untuk tempahan tayangan di luar negara dan nampaknya memerlukan kehadiran pengarah dan artis juga untuk sesi dialog," menurut kenyataan di laman Facebook filem sejarah itu semalam.

Mengulas perkembangan terkininya pula, kenyataan itu menyebut, kutipan di pawagam dan tempahan khas melebihi RM1.5 juta.

Pembikinan Tanda Putera menelan belanja RM4.8 juta, tetapi angka box office beberapa minggu lalu menunjukkan ia gagal mendapat keuntungan berbanding kos penghasilannya.

Tanda Putera ditaja oleh badan kerajaan.

Adil Rami hits back at Valencia over suspension

Adil Rami has delivered a spirited riposte to Valencia after being suspended without pay and placed on the transfer list, according to Spanish newspaper AS.
The French centre back was yesterday suspended without pay after publicly criticising Valencia boss Miroslav Djukic.
But the 28-year-old has lashed out at the decision and insists that he has done nothing wrong, despite being made out to be a villain by Djukic.
“I want to respond to the sanction imposed on me by my club, Valencia. It’s an unfounded sanction that I disagree with,” Rami said.
“I regret this situation that tarnishes my relationship with my club and its supporters, for whom I always work with the utmost respect and complete loyalty.”
Rami was said to be allowed to leave Valencia in the summer, providing a club paid the required £8million that Valencia were asking for.
Interested clubs, and both Arsenal and Manchester City are reported to be admirers of Rami, may choose to bide their time as that fee looks set to drop over the coming months.

Read more at http://www.worldsoccer.com/247/adil-rami-valencia#bFE5grvgiKHcgihV.99

Adil Rami hits back at Valencia over suspension

Adil Rami has delivered a spirited riposte to Valencia after being suspended without pay and placed on the transfer list, according to Spanish newspaper AS.
The French centre back was yesterday suspended without pay after publicly criticising Valencia boss Miroslav Djukic.
But the 28-year-old has lashed out at the decision and insists that he has done nothing wrong, despite being made out to be a villain by Djukic.
“I want to respond to the sanction imposed on me by my club, Valencia. It’s an unfounded sanction that I disagree with,” Rami said.
“I regret this situation that tarnishes my relationship with my club and its supporters, for whom I always work with the utmost respect and complete loyalty.”
Rami was said to be allowed to leave Valencia in the summer, providing a club paid the required £8million that Valencia were asking for.
Interested clubs, and both Arsenal and Manchester City are reported to be admirers of Rami, may choose to bide their time as that fee looks set to drop over the coming months.

Read more at http://www.worldsoccer.com/247/adil-rami-valencia#bFE5grvgiKHcgihV.99

Adil Rami hits back at Valencia over suspension

Adil Rami has delivered a spirited riposte to Valencia after being suspended without pay and placed on the transfer list, according to Spanish newspaper AS.
The French centre back was yesterday suspended without pay after publicly criticising Valencia boss Miroslav Djukic.
But the 28-year-old has lashed out at the decision and insists that he has done nothing wrong, despite being made out to be a villain by Djukic.
“I want to respond to the sanction imposed on me by my club, Valencia. It’s an unfounded sanction that I disagree with,” Rami said.
“I regret this situation that tarnishes my relationship with my club and its supporters, for whom I always work with the utmost respect and complete loyalty.”
Rami was said to be allowed to leave Valencia in the summer, providing a club paid the required £8million that Valencia were asking for.
Interested clubs, and both Arsenal and Manchester City are reported to be admirers of Rami, may choose to bide their time as that fee looks set to drop over the coming months.

Read more at http://www.worldsoccer.com/247/adil-rami-valencia#bFE5grvgiKHcgihV.99

Dr M: RM20j tugas perunding? Saya pun boleh

Selepas kerajaan membelanjakan RM20 juta sebagai yuran perundingan bagi Pelan Induk Pembangunan Pendidikan, bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dengan sinis berkata beliau juga boleh melakukannya.

Bercakap dalam satu sidang akhbar di Subang Jaya petang ini, Dr Mahathir berkata, beliau pun boleh menjadi pakar tempatan, tapi tiada siapa yang mahu memberinya tugas tersebut.

Beliau mengulas pertanyaan berhubung langkah kerajaan membayar sejumlah wang yang besar itu kepada McKinsey & Co untuk perkhidmatan perundingan.

Ia menjadi sasaran kritikan hebat pembangkang kerana mereka mendakwa firma tersebut bukan pakar dalam bidang pendidikan.

Tambahan pula, langkah menggunakan khidmat agensi asing juga dilihat sebagai mengetepikan teknokrat tempatan yang ramai dibawa pulang oleh PEMANDU di bawah pentadbiran Perdana Menteri Najib TUn Razak.

Mahathir juga menyentuh tentang kedudukan yang kurang baik universiti-unversiti di negara ini, dengan berkata ia mungkin disebabkan oleh pengembangan terburu-buru dalam bidang pendidikan tinggi.

Katanya, pengembangan institusi pendidikan menjadi begitu pantas sehingganya sukar untuk mendapatkan tenaga pendidik, profesor dan pensyarah.

Bekas perdana menteri itu berada di Sunway University hari ini untuk menyampaikan biasiswa Yayasan Jeffrey Cheah kepada pelajar yang berkelayakan.

Mahathir: RM20mil consultancy job? I can do it

Afer the government forked out RM20 million in consultancy fees for the National Education Blueprint, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad sarcastically said that he, too, can do it.