Gunners beat devil

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Manchester United vs Arsenal

Man Utd1VArsenal2

• FT 90' +6
• HT 1-1

THE FA CUPDate: Monday, 9th MarchKick off: 19:45 GMTVenue: Old Trafford

Key events

• ArsenalGoalMonreal 25'
• Manchester UnitedGoalRooney 29'
• ArsenalGoalWelbeck 61'
• Manchester UnitedDismissalDi María 77'

CloseMatch details

FA Cup: Man Utd 1-2 Arsenal highlights

• Man Utd's last realistic chance of silverware ends
• Di Maria sent off for dive and grab at referee
• Welbeck scores winner against former club
• Arsenal 11-time FA Cup winners

Danny Welbeck returned to Manchester United as Arsenal's match-winner as the FA Cup holders sealed a semi-final place at Wembley.

England striker Welbeck joined Arsenal from United in a £16m deal on deadline day in September - and came back to score the goal that gave the Gunners their first win at Old Trafford since 2006.

It ensures Louis van Gaal, the manager who sanctioned his sale, will almost certainly end his first season empty-handed.

Nacho Monreal gave Arsenal a first-half lead but Wayne Rooney equalised with a flying header from Angel Di Maria's cross - the high point of the Argentine's night as he was later dismissed for two yellow cards after Welbeck had restored Arsenal's advantage.

And on a great night for manager Arsene Wenger after United had won 11 of the last 15 meetings between the sides in all competitions, Arsenal are now huge favourites to reach another FA Cup final after drawing either Reading or Bradford City in the semi-final.

The hero of the night, however, was Welbeck as he punished United, the club where he scored 29 goals in 142 appearances before switching to Arsenal after Van Gaal brought in Radamel Falcao.

Falcao was not even called from the bench amid United's increasing panic, which saw the great tactician Van Gaal end with the giant figures of Marouane Fellaini and Chris Smalling up front.

United have sailed close to the wind on many occasions on the back of average performances this season, digging out victories without looking convincing.

FA Cup: Wenger says Arsenal intensity key to Man Utd win

There was no reprieve here, though, and now a place in the Premier League's top four and a return to the Champions League is their sole aim for the rest of the campaign.

For Arsenal, this was a demonstration of the sort of resilience that saw them win at champions Manchester City this season and now ends that recent curse at Old Trafford.

And in a season when so much criticism has been aimed at referees, praise must be reserved for a magnificent performance by Michael Oliver, who remained calm and got the big decisions right in an increasingly frantic environment.

Old Trafford has been the scene of many low-key games this season - but there was a big-match atmosphere around the stadium as United and Arsenal produced a first 45 minutes to savour.

Arsenal's crisp passing had already caused United problems before they took the lead in the 25th minute. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the creator with a weaving run along the edge of the area before finding Monreal, who beat David De Gea at the near post with composure.

The lead lasted only four minutes, United replying with quality of their own as Di Maria's perfect delivery dropped between Arsenal's defenders to be met by the flying figure of Rooney, who directed a powerful header beyond Wojciech Szczesny.

Angel Di Maria has no excuse says Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal

Di Maria was looking much more comfortable, as well as dangerous, on the flank and he stole in behind Arsenal to get in a low effort that Szczesny blocked with his legs at the near post.

Van Gaal made a double change at the interval, sending on Phil Jones and Michael Carrick for Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw - but there was no instant cure for the uncertainty that had plagued United's defence.

And it was in evidence again as Arsenal went back in front just after the hour. Antonio Valencia's backpass sold De Gea short and Welbeck reacted quickly to nudge the loose ball around the keeper and roll it into the unguarded net.

Welbeck received warm applause from large sections of United's support when he was replaced by Olivier Giroud. There were some jeers mixed in but he clearly remains a popular figure at Old Trafford.

Seconds after that switch De Gea produced a miraculous piece of goalkeeping to keep United in contention, somehow clawing out Santi Cazorla's shot from Alexis Sanchez's cross.

United's play, as well as the noise from their supporters, carried an air of desperation and their cause was not helped by a moment of madness from Di Maria that saw him sent off with 13 minutes left.

After being booked for diving, the frustrated Argentine then tugged at referee Oliver's shirt as he walked away, with inevitable consequences.

It was one of many lows on a night when the frustrations of United and their supporters bubbled to the surface - and their trophy hopes ended.

Nacho Monreal scored only his second goal in 76 appearances for Arsenal

Wayne Rooney has scored in each of his last three FA Cup games against Arsenal

Manchester United have made the most passes back to their goalkeeper in the Premier League this season

Danny Welbeck scored his first goal at Old Trafford since January 2014

There have now been five red cards in the last eight FA Cup matches between Arsenal and Manchester United

Source:  BBC Sport 

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Malaysia need more women in politics

Syahredzan Johan 


SOME say that we are more likely to see a non-Malay/Muslim Prime Minister than a female Prime Minister. 

Legally, there is nothing in the Federal Constitution that restricts the gender of the Prime Minister. In fact, Article 8 of the Federal Constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination.

Compared to some other countries, the status of women in our country is arguably better. Women have reasonable access to education, for example. They are given opportunities in employment, although not as many or as favourable as men. We do not have the same degree of sexual discrimination as places such as Saudi Arabia, for example. The women of Malaysia, unlike in India, do not face the same 'subculture of oppression' (as described by a committee set up by the government of India to investigate sexual violence in the country), at least not to the same magnitude.

But the reality is that women do face discrimination in Malaysia. Maybe not overtly or codified in our laws, but certainly through a plethora of hidden and subtle forms of gender discrimination.

The root of the problem is our attitude towards women. We only accept women of a certain mould because to us, this is how a woman should be. We view women who are opinionated, assertive or 'strong', negatively. We think that women are incapable of shouldering certain responsibilities, usually connected with top leadership positions.

This patriarchal attitude is most obvious in our political culture. Politicians usually have to take up some form of leadership role. Our patriarchal mindset when it comes to leadership means female politicians have a tougher time than male ones. Female politicians are relegated to specific portfolios, which are usually seen as ‘lightweight’ ones, or those relating to women, children or family. Anything more would be unthinkable because to us, women are just not capable of being at the top of the leadership hierarchy.

It is fine for women to be ministers or excos; but only a man gets to be the prime minister, chief minister or mentri besar. The irrational objection that certain quarters had to a female mentri besar in last year's political crisis in Selangor is the perfect example of this.

On top of this, female politicians in Malaysia are expected to conform to certain established 'sensibilities'. They are expected to speak, dress and act a certain way. They are expected to only champion certain causes. Their public lives are under greater scrutiny than male politicians. We are generally less forgiving of the transgressions of female politicians compared to their male counterparts. A male politician caught in a scandal is far more likely to survive than a female politician in the same position.

The culprits are not only the men, unfortunately. When Dyana Sofya, the young DAP politician uploaded a photo on her instagram account as part of the 'Wake Up for a Good Cause' campaign to raise funds for an organisation helping abused women, a female leader from another party was alleged to have accused Dyana of 'exploiting her body'.

This politician was reported to have said that young women should not 'pose like that' to attract attention, when in actual fact there is nothing inappropriate or indecent about the photo. Some female politicians themselves perpetuate this patriarchal mindset when instead they should stick up for each other.

Yes, most major political parties here in Malaysia have a dedicated women's wing. Presumably, the formation of a women's wing was to encourage the participation of women in politics. But the existence of women's wings in politics has resulted in limiting the opportunities of women in these political parties.

The political pinnacle for a woman leader in a political party is realistically the position of the head of the women's wing, as the chances of a woman succeeding outside of the wing and within the main leadership hierarchy of the party are slim.

In spite of these challenges, a lot of women have succeeded in politics. Women such as the late Tan Sri Aishah Ghani, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and younger politicians such as Nurul Izzah Anwar and Hannah Yeoh have managed to carve a name for themselves at the highest level of politics, a realm usually dominated by men.

These women are role models for other female politicians and women in general.

But one Nurul Izzah here and one Hannah Yeoh there is not enough. We need to have more women in more meaningful roles in politics. To help achieve this, we need to discard our old mindset and attitudes toward women in politics. We need to start seeing the participation of women in politics beyond mere tokenism and to accept the fact that women are as capable of political leadership as their male counterparts.

At the same time, there must be bi-partisan cooperation of both sides of the political divide to change the patriarchy in politics. They can start by not attacking each other on trivial issues that actually perpetuate patriarchy. 

Only then, can we truly entertain the possibility of a female Prime Minister, Menteri Besar or Chief Minister. Happy International Women's Day!

> The views expressed are entirely the writer’s own.
Source :Star Online

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Malaysia's controversial “Kita Lawan” has crossed borders and expanded into international territories.

GeorgeTown,Penang- It seems that the controversial “Kita Lawan” Assembly that will take place in Kuala Lumpur this Saturday has crossed borders and expanded into international territories.

The assembly, which is meant to protest Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent imprisonment, will make its way into several overseas locations, staging similar protests for the PKR de facto leader.

In Australia, there will be two “Kita Lawan” assemblies. The first will be held in Canberra where the starting location will be in front of the Australian Parliamentary Building, while another one will take place in Adelaide. The public has been asked to gather at 4 pm local time at both locations.

Meanwhile in London, the assembly will begin at 11 am local time at the Old Palace Yard, and in Taipei, Taiwan, the gathering will take place at the Liberty Square beginning 7 pm.

Other locations of the protest include New York City and several other cities in the U.S, Japan, New Zealand, and Europe.-MalaysianDigest

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Islamic State, Saudi Arabia continue to deny Religious Freedom .

Religious freedom and free speech under attack again in Saudi Arabia, as an Indian citizen was arrested for allegedly posting a picture of Hindu symbols in Mecca’s Grand Mosque on Facebook. The Indian citizen, who was arrested by Saudi Arabia’s notorious religious police under the country’s anti-cyber crime law, claimed that he did not post the picture and only “liked” it on Facebook. Nonetheless, he could face up to five years in jail and a fine of close to $800,000. Saudi Arabia continues to repress basic human rights and religious freedom with impunity.

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Theories on MH370 keep rotating.

SYDNEY: Speculation about what happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 ranges from sober, science-based arguments to outlandish conspiracy theories. Here are some of the most prominent:

Crashed in Southern Indian Ocean

Official investigators used analysis from British firm Inmarsat of “pings” to its satellite from MH370, combined with data direct from the plane before it stopped transmissions, to conclude the plane had flown south after it dropped off Malaysian military radar and crashed in the southern Indian Ocean.

The well-respected Independent Group (IG) has done its own analysis and believes the plane is probably near the current search zone, but not necessarily within it.

Just why MH370 ended up there is contested both within IG and others who support the official findings. Some plump for a hijack scenario, others point to technical or pilot error. A British captain, Simon Hardy, says the plane did a fly-by of the pilot’s home island of Penang before flying repeatedly in and out of Malaysia and Thailand to confuse air traffic controllers.

It was accidentally shot down

This theory was the thrust of the first book published on the incident, ‘Flight MH370 The Mystery’. London-based author Nigel Cawthorne said the plane may have been accidentally shot down during joint U.S.-Thai military exercises in the South China Sea. Such accidents have happened before: Korean Air flight 007 was shot down by the Soviet Union in 1983, and the U.S. Navy downed an Iranian airliner in 1988. Aviation experts are skeptical about a U.S. and Thai cover-up, proponents argue the very nature of a “cover-up” is that it is hard to disprove.

It was brought down near Diego Garcia

The former head of France’s Proteus Airlines, Mac Dugain, put forward the theory that the plane may have been shot down by the U.S. military, fearing a Sept. 11 style attack on the U.S. Navy base on the remote Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. Dugain pointed to the testimony of residents in the Maldives who reported seeing an airliner traveling towards the island, although their claims were widely dismissed.

It is in Russia

Former pilot and regular CNN aviation expert Jeff Wise speculates that MH370 flew north along national borders to avoid radar before landing in Kazakhstan as part of a Russian-engineered plot. Wise’s theory is dependent on somebody on board the plane tampering with key satellite transmission data to give the impression it flew south. He noted the relevant instruments could be accessed by a panel in the cabin and that there were three Russians on board. Wise acknowledges he can offer no motive to explain why Russia would want to steal a Malaysian jetliner.

It is in Pakistan for use in terrorism

A retired US lieutenant general spread the theory the plane was flown to Taliban-controlled Pakistan, to be used to carry weapons of mass destruction for an attack on Israel. The idea was given a boost by newspaper mogul Rupert Murdoch, who tweeted: “Maybe no crash but stolen, effectively hidden, perhaps in Pakistan, like Bin Laden”.

MH370 and MH17 were the same plane

This theory is based on photos of the MH17 crash site in Ukraine, which proponents argue shows that the second crashed plane was in fact MH370, a later 777 model that had some small changes to its body. How MH370 could have been hidden for six months before being substituted for MH17 – and what happened to the bodies – is not explained.

It was abducted by aliens

Self explanatory.

- Reuters

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Premier League Week 28 Result

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Singapore-Malaysia finger pointing on rail delay

The bottomline is that the rail line is unlikely to be operational by 2018 as originally planned.

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Transport Singapore (MOTS) has clarified that it was not the island but its Malaysian counterpart that was delaying plans for the Rapid Transit System (RTS), a cross-border train line.

It’s unclear who is telling the truth.

The bottomline is that the rail line is unlikely to be operational by 2018 as originally planned.

“Once Malaysia decides where they want their end of the train line, the two countries can then proceed to start a joint engineering study,” said MOTS in a statement carried by The Real Singapore. “It’s not true that MOTS is holding back the RTS plans by failing to finalize plans for where the station is going to be on the Singapore side.”

The MOTS statement was apparently blaming the Malaysian side for pointing fingers at it on the same issue. The Johore Executive Committee Member for Public Works and Rural and Regional Development, Hasni Mohammad, had earlier spoken up on the same issue but blamed Singapore.

“The suggestion that Singapore has been delaying progress on the RTS link is incorrect,” said the MOTS statement. “Singapore informed Malaysia in June 2011 that the RTS terminus in Singapore would be located at Woodlands North near Republic Polytechnic.”

However, to date, Singapore has not received official confirmation of the location of Malaysia’s RTS terminus in Johor Bahru, it added. “We look forward to official confirmation from the Malaysian government on the location of the RTS terminus in Johor Bahru.”

“Singapore remains committed to working closely with Malaysia on the RTS link, which will provide a boost to cross-border connectivity.”

 

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Arsenal Move to 3rd Place

• OpenPremier Leaguemenu

Arsenal vs Everton

Arsenal2VEverton0

• FT 90' +8
• HT 1-0

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUEDate: Sunday, 1st MarchKick off: 14:05 GMTVenue: Emirates Stadium

Key events

• ArsenalGoalGiroud 39'
• ArsenalGoalRosicky 89'

CloseMatch details

Olivier Giroud's opener was his ninth goal in 13 matches

• Arsenal bounce back from Champions League defeat
• Giroud scores fourth goal in four matches
• Wenger's side record third straight league win
• Everton six points above the bottom three

Olivier Giroud rewarded manager Arsene Wenger's support with a goal as Arsenal beat Everton 2-0 to climb back to third place in the Premier League.

Wenger kept the striker in his starting line-up even though he missed several chances duringWednesday's 3-1 Champions League defeat by Monaco.

Giroud volleyed in Mesut Ozil's corner six minutes before half-time.

Arsenal 2-0 Everton: Arsene Wenger happy with Gunners' response

Everton's Romelu Lukaku was denied by keeper David Ospina before Tomas Rosicky's late goal sealed the win.

The visitors were the better side for most of the second half but struggled to create clear chances, aside from Lukaku's near-post shot from Ross Barkley's cross, which Ospina tipped over brilliantly.

Roberto Martinez's side once again failed to transfer impressive European results to the Premier League, in which they have taken 11 points from their last 15 matches and could yet be dragged into a relegation battle.

Yet they could justifiably claim to have deserved something from the match against an Arsenal side who wobbled to victory.

Giroud's selection proved pivotal to that win, as did Wenger's decision to give centre-back Gabriel Paulista a first Premier League start in place of the out-of-form Per Mertesacker.

Gabriel was shaky at first, misjudging a long clearance and allowing Lukaku to get in behind him, with Ospina racing from his line to pat the ball clear.

But the Brazilian defender won applause from the home fans for a perfectly timed challenge as Everton's Belgium striker threatened to tear through and score eight minutes before half-time.

Everton were unlucky - Roberto Martinez

That lifted an Arsenal side who had been ponderous for the opening 35 minutes, and they were soon ahead.

Giroud, who had earlier planted a header wide from eight yards out, found a few inches of space inside a crowded penalty area to turn a lovely low volley into the corner of the net from Ozil's corner.

Arsenal had to survive a significant spell of Everton pressure after half-time, but aside from Lukaku's effort, the only chance came when substitute Aaron Lennon steered Seamus Coleman's low cross straight at Ospina.

Wenger's side did finish strongly, and only a magnificent saving tackle by Phil Jagielka stopped Ozil scoring from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's through-pass.

Rosicky eased the jitters of the home fans with a shot that was deflected past keeper Tim Howard by the unlucky Jagielka.

Olivier Giroud was defended in the match programme by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

Giroud has scored nine Premier League goals for Arsenal this season

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Liverpool beat Manchester City, Near to Champions League spot

• OpenPremier Leaguemenu

Liverpool vs Manchester City

Liverpool2VMan City1

• FT 90' +4
• HT 1-1

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUEDate: Sunday, 1st MarchKick off: 12:00 GMTVenue: Anfield

Key events

• LiverpoolGoalHenderson 11'
• Manchester CityGoalDzeko 25'
• LiverpoolGoalCoutinho 75'

Close

Philippe Coutinho scored a stunning winner as Liverpool dented Manchester City's Premier League title defence with a narrow victory at Anfield.

Jordan Henderson's curling effort put the Reds ahead before Edin Dzeko finished off a slick move to equalise.

But Brazil midfielder Coutinho capped a fine display with the decisive goal when he struck from 25 yards.

The result leaves City five points behind Chelsea having played a game extra, while Liverpool move to fifth.

Liverpool's 3-2 victory in this fixture last Aprilwas seen as a pivotal moment for the Reds in last season's title charge, although ultimately it was City that went on to win the Premier League a month later.

With current league leaders Chelsea in League Cup final action against Tottenham, City manager Manuel Pellegrini had underlined the importance of this match and the need for his side to "keep fighting" in the title race.

City made a two-point gain on Chelsea last weekend but they were unable to make up further ground on Jose Mourinho's side after Coutinho scored the winning goal against them at Anfield for the second consecutive season.

For Liverpool, it kept their unbeaten record league in 2015 and having taken 26 points from a possible 30 momentum appears to be building in their bid to finish in one of the Champions League places.

Liverpool only arrived back at 4.30am on Friday following their penalty shootout defeat by Besiktas in the Europa League last week, and despite the physical toils of their travels Rodgers felt his players would be "mentally ready"(external) to face City.

They showed few signs of tiredness, although it was Coutinho, rested for last week's trip to Istanbul, who was at the heart of Liverpool's attacking play.

Coutinho's sharpness helped Liverpool take an 11th-minute lead when he stole the ball off Vincent Kompany, making his 200th league appearance for City, and Raheem Sterling slipped the ball out wide to Henderson.

The England midfielder, who wore the Liverpool captain's armband in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard, cut inside onto his favoured right foot and curled a stunning shot past Joe Hart and into the top right corner of the net.

The goal brought greater urgency to City's play and they almost equalised when Sergio Aguero latched on to David Silva's through ball only for the Argentine forward's shot to rebound off the post.

City got themselves on level terms before the half-hour mark with a slick move that culminated in Aguero's clever pass into the area for Dzeko, and the Bosnia forward clinically dispatched a low shot past Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.

Aguero headed over from a dangerous position shortly after half-time, while Liverpool's Adam Lallana had the ball in the net again when he glanced in a free-kick only for the officials to judge he did so from an offside position.

Coutinho always seemed Liverpool's most likely source of another goal and delivered the telling blow with a strike akin to the quality of the one he scored in their 2-0 win against Southamptonlast Sunday.

The playmaker jinked in from the left flank and curled a spectacular shot past Hart and into the top-right corner of the net in front of the Kop.

Jordan Henderson also scored his first league goal against Manchester City, for Sunderland in 2009

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany made his 200th Premier League appearance for the club at Anfield

Edin Dzeko now has four goals in the Premier League for City this season

Philippe Coutinho scored the winning goal in Liverpool's 3-2 victory over City last season

Brendan Rodgers has now won two and lost two of his four encounters with Manuel Pellegrini

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